Little help Here!!

[AlaskanJack]

I just got my X back from my buddy's shop and he said it looked like my rear main seal is leaking. I drive 120 round trip a day and over 9 days I am adding a Qt of oil.

We are adding a dye on monday and I will drive into his shop about 60 miles and use the lamp to see where the leak is coming from for sure.

He is estimating about 470.00 to fix the rear main seal. And he wants me to look at maybe doing the clutch while he's in there. I said lets look at it and make the decision when he gets to pulling the flywheel.

Is this an average price for the work he estimated 7 hrs total shop time. And do you think I should do the clutch and anything while he's in there. I am taking the X down the ALCAN highway in 2 weeks on may way down to Oregon.

Thanks.

 

[akcrogers]

How is the clutch doing right now? If you aren't experiencing any problems with it then you probably don't want to change it. Although, while he is in there you could pull it and inspect it pretty easily. I've never changed a rear main on an explorer, but that time sounds about right for other vehicles I've done. I've driven the Alcan round-trip 3 times, once in a bus, once in a toyota chinook, and last summer in my '67 stang. Its a good road. seems like everyone gives it a bad rap because back in '73 when they drove it you got a flat tire every 15 minutes. No flats for me on any trip yet *knock *knock. It is probably the most beautiful drive ever, you'll be driving it at just the right time to see all the big black dogs (bears, me and my buddies thought they were dogs when we drove down the first time. black bears don't seem much like bears at all when you grow up with AK grizzlies). Bring a gallon of oil, and a good bit of antifreeze and water (pre-mixed is best for this kind of thing).
I'll be driving my X down next January, but think I'm going to do it the easy way, turn right a little after the boarder and take the ferry...

 

[akcrogers]

How many people are going down with you? Are you planning to stay the night in Fbks or cruise on through? I might be able to arrange a bed for a night here. I'll have to check with my parents though (its kinda wierd staying at home again after being gone for 3 years)

 

[jimbo74]

that price doesnt sound too bad..... if that also includes parts even better.... here in ca, labor is like $70 an hour(that is what we charge & is standard out here).... by my math... that is $490....... so that quoted price sounds good.... if your clutch has some miles on it, what the heck, change it now too..... it will save labor time later down the line.....

 

[AlaskanJack]

I am driving down with my wife and 7 yr old son. I've got him all set up with a "temporary" center console conversion. I picked up a center console that has a vertical mount mobile vcr and an Audiovox 9" tv. He can watch movies (with headphones or not) or he can plug in his playstation and play games. I planned on selling it when we got back from our trip but it may go into my wifes X since hers has no center console.

My original plan was to drive down with my best friend who lives in the bush (Huslia). But do to his work he can't make the trip so now instead of flying down my family will drive down with me. We plan on driving in shifts and see if we can make it straight through. Then we can take a leisurly drive back like 5 days and do some sightseeing.

So what is your opinion Alcan or Casiar?? I've heard from several guys I work with that have made the trip several times don't take the Casiar. It's a slower drive even though it's essentially shorter. I just heard from someone yesterday that he always takes the Casiar with no problems and he cuts 5 hrs off his trip. ?????