front tranny seal

[Mary]

My 92 explorer has developed a leak from the front seal of the transmission (it's an automatic) I got a quote from a local shop for $425-50 to replace it. I'm not terribly anxious to fork over that much money so here's my question. My husband is a pretty good shadetree mechanic, is this something that he could do? Has anyone done this or had it done?

 

[CHH777]

Mary,

First off, make sure it's actually a tranny leak. Main rear seal, intake manifold gasket and oil pressure sending unit leaks all have similar symptoms (dripping fluid between bell housing and tranny).


It's not too hard, just time consuming. He'll need a several socket extensions and I'd recommend renting a tranny jack unless he has a helper to assist in lifting it out and back into place.

 

[Mary]

It's definitely the front seal on the tranny, I took it in to a transmission shop when I saw the leak and got the bad news. My husband has removed and replaced manual transmissions before, but no automatics, and he usually works on older vehicles that don't have things that are computer controlled. Is the front transmission seal something he can get at or will it need to go to the tranny shop to be pressed out?

 

[Hank]

Hi Mary,

It sounds like the front seal and the price is about right. I just had mine done a couple of weeks ago when she let loose on the way to a run.

It is a DIY job if you have a good set of tools, time to blow and preferably an impact wrench, long extensions, trans jack and wobble sockets. The trans lines off of the side were the toughest part. I had everything out/off of mine when I busted a 1/2 socket on one of the last top three bell housing bolts. At that point I ran out of time and had to button it back up and nurse it to a shop.

(I hated the thought of paying 400+ to install a $12.00 seal.)

However while they had the trans out I (and the major labor expense was already hit) I had them hit the rear main on the engine and all the other tranny seals. I spend about an extra 120.00 but she has all new seals.

Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions.

hg