How to replace rear main seal in 4.3

[clhughart]

I'm changing the clutch in my 97 S-10 4wd (big job) and thought I'd replace rear main seal. The seal doesn't look like it's leaking around the crankshaft, but it looks like the housing it's in leaks near oil pan. There are some bolts I could take off but it looks like I could just pry out the seal. What's the best way to do this and not make things worse. I definitely don't want to do this take this transmission/transfer case out again.

[broncosbybart]

the best way to do it is to remove the oil pan and take the rear main off. chances are that it will leak if you do it as described. you could try it and it wouldn't hurt if you did, but it would probably still leak. what i do is take it all apart and place some rtv on the outer surface of the rear main seal. i will also put a line of weatherstripping adhesive on the outer edge of the block to provide a seal between the block and rear main. that way there are 0 leaks when you put it all together, as long as you do a good job w/the oil pan gasket. I use rtv on the cork and in the corners where the rubber c-shaped gaskets sit.

[Yogi]

Why would you pull the oil pan to replace the seal? The '97 is a one piece seal, isn't it? I thought that you just pull the flywheel/flexplate, pry the old seal out and put a new one in (with RTV or an appropriate sealer around the OD)

Are you saying that doing it this way will leak? Where would it leak?

[broncosbybart]

yep, it's one piece. the seal itself won't leak. without seeing it, it sounds like something else is going on as well- which is usually the case. chances are the oil pan gaskets are leaking or there is some oil leaking between the surfaces of the block/rear main.

[Wrenchin]

There are two seals for the one piece rear main. One goes between the block and the adapter housing. The other one goes into the the housing and around the crankshaft.

[clhughart]

In case somebody else was wondering how to do this, I ended up just prying out the seal. Put a little silicone around outside edge and put the new one in. Did not have to take off the bolts on the retainer or whatever it's called.

[clhughart]

Quote: Originally Posted by clhughart

In case somebody else was wondering how to do this, I ended up just prying out the seal. Put a little silicone around outside edge and put the new one in. Did not have to take off the bolts on the retainer or whatever it's called.

Update: As of today, still no leaks, but man I don't ever want to replace that clutch again.