Rear Main Seal advice-should I replace it?

[frankofthenorth]

Wow, lots of cool info in these archives. I might be getting a 97' Mountaineer, and I know something is leaking, so I suppose I have to figure out what it is. Some people like Royal Purple oils, some like AMSOIL, I guess people have different tastes

 

[masospaghetti]

I had the same dilemma on my previous 98 XLT while I was rebuilding the transmission. I ended up replacing the seal - Actually, I ended up replacing the seal 3 times because I kept doing it wrong and it would leak like crazy. Learn from my mistakes!!

The P/O had installed the sleeve upside down (with the flared end facing rearward), and I assumed it was correct when installing the new seal. Basically, with the flared end aft, the seal and the sleeve have to be installed together as an assembly - there's no way to get the seal on if the sleeve is installed first. By installing the two parts together, the sleeve was pressed up against the seal. When I started the engine, the sleeve ripped the seal apart and it leaked like crazy.

Moral of the story: If you use a sleeve, install it with the flared side forward.

As it turned out, even after I removed the sleeve and polished the crank surface, I installed a seal WITHOUT a sleeve and it only weeps oil, not a significant leak. I used a teflon seal. Rubber seals should be coated with oil when installed, teflon ones specifically say to install dry.

 

[mounty71]

I'm in the middle of replacing my seal and have a question I've been wondering about. I got a seal and sleeve repair kit, haven't removed the old leaking seal yet, so I'm unsure of what the condition of the crank surface is. Would anyone recommend to just install the sleeve regardless of the crank condition, to make the seal a little bit tighter around the crank and insure that it has a smooth new surface? I'm worried that with my luck, if I don't install the sleeve I will wish I did and have to do it again. Thanks.

 

[koda2000]

I'm in the middle of replacing my seal and have a question I've been wondering about. I got a seal and sleeve repair kit, haven't removed the old leaking seal yet, so I'm unsure of what the condition of the crank surface is. Would anyone recommend to just install the sleeve regardless of the crank condition, to make the seal a little bit tighter around the crank and insure that it has a smooth new surface? I'm worried that with my luck, if I don't install the sleeve I will wish I did and have to do it again. Thanks.

i won't install the sleeve unless the crank surface is grooved. in my experience those sleeves cause more problems than they fix. clean the crank surface with some fine steel wool and some parts cleaner (or WD40) then run you finger nail across the surface. if you can't feel any grooves you're good to go. i always put some grease on the surface and pack the back of the new seal with grease. this is to prevent a dry start, which will ruin the new seal.

 

[saewoody]

So I started this thread over 7 years ago and accidentally ran across it tonight. Figured I’d give an update. So I replaced the seal with the sleeve, figuring it was needed. Well it started leaking a bit after the new seal. It had never leaked prior. Then the truck got hit and totaled 6 months later. Just bought a 2003 this week and figured I’d get back on the forum. It’s good to be back.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update. Please update your vehicle's information in your profile for the 2003.