Rear Crankshaft Main Bearing Seal: Service and Repair

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove transmission.
3. Remove flywheel.
4. Remove rack and pinion bracket bolts.
5. Remove left side strut assembly.
6. Disconnect flex coupling and pull steering gear down.
7. Drain engine oil, then remove oil pan mounting bolts.
8. With oil pan pulled down away from engine block, remove oil pump suction pipe and screen.
9. With engine mounts attached, raise engine slightly with suitable jack and block of wood and remove oil pan from vehicle.
10. Remove rear main bearing cap and oil seal.
11. Clean bearing cap, case and crankshaft seal surface, then inspect crankshaft seal surface for excessive wear and nicks. If excessive wear or nicks exist, replace crankshaft.
12. Install new seal in case, then install bearing cap, but do not tighten bolts. When installing seal in case, ensure seal is seated against rear main bearing bulkhead.
13. Torque main bearing cap bolts to 11 ft. lbs., then using suitable soft-faced hammer, tap end of crankshaft rearward, then forward. Retorque main bearing cap to specifications.
14. Using 2 part RTV sealer or equivalent, pack sealer into vertical grooves until excess flows from slots adjacent to rear seal. Clean excess sealer.
15. Reverse steps 1 through 9 to install.