Opera House
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- August 19, 2002
- Messages
- 2,106
- Reaction score
- 6
- City, State
- Cincinnati, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Explorer 3.5L base
Had to replace the water pump on my 92 and figured I'd change the leaking front crank seal while the area was open. NAPA wanted almost $16 for just the seal but were out of stock, Pep Boys and Autozone didn't carry it or they couldn't find it. Finally, a local store carries the FELPRO carried the TCS45867 timing cover set which included the seal and three other gaskets for only $8.37.
Seems that I had to beat harder than expected to remove the balancer bolt but everything pulled apart ok. Gently pushed in the new seal using the center bolt waiting to feel the slightest resistance when it bottomed out. Then I heard the adaptor go clunk. Seal pushed all the way through and dropped because there is bo retaining lip. The procedure never mentioned anything about that.
Ground half the head off a good size nail so it was a half moon shape. Fished in, was able to snag the seal and pull it out without damage. This time let the plastic dust shield on the balancer set the depth. Tighten the bolt and of course the crank turns a little. Suddenly it hits a hard stop. Now the crank only turns about 100 degrees in either direction like I'm hitting a stuck valve(s). So now I'll have to pull a valve or the timing cover to see what is happening. Good thing I got that extra gasket. Anyone care to guess?
Seems that I had to beat harder than expected to remove the balancer bolt but everything pulled apart ok. Gently pushed in the new seal using the center bolt waiting to feel the slightest resistance when it bottomed out. Then I heard the adaptor go clunk. Seal pushed all the way through and dropped because there is bo retaining lip. The procedure never mentioned anything about that.
Ground half the head off a good size nail so it was a half moon shape. Fished in, was able to snag the seal and pull it out without damage. This time let the plastic dust shield on the balancer set the depth. Tighten the bolt and of course the crank turns a little. Suddenly it hits a hard stop. Now the crank only turns about 100 degrees in either direction like I'm hitting a stuck valve(s). So now I'll have to pull a valve or the timing cover to see what is happening. Good thing I got that extra gasket. Anyone care to guess?
