I have just come across a problem with the rear crank seal in my 85 2.8 litre Bronco II. In the midst of a tranny swap I have discovered that some kind of weird alignment problem happened with an obviously new replacement starter and the flex plate has been grinding away deep into the metal nose of the starter for a while before I owned it ( musta been ear splitting!). The small shaved metal particals got up into the rear crank seal and lots of engine oil ( thought it was tranny oil ) is leaking rearward due to the seal being chewed up so I have kind of an oily metal sludge back there. My question is this: can I remove the seal and replace it without taking off the pan and then the rear main bearing cap ? I have done this on other veichles with rear rope seal and used a tool to pull it through and out,but I am new to this rubber one.It looks like one circular piece. Can anybody help with this one...PPLLLease.

 

as far as the rear main seal goes...the trans has to come out to replace that one..i know..i just did mine last week.

 

Hello I M stuck, I have the trans out along with the flex plate,but I want to know if I have to remove the oil pan to replace the seal which I can see is obvoiuslu needing replaced. You do this?

 

no need to drop the oil pan to replace the rear main seal. The rear main seal is the one around the crank that the flex plate bolts to. Take a hammer and screw driver..pound the screwdrive into the old seal and pry it out. Only reason i can think of removing the oil pan is if you were replacing rod bearings and end caps. When you removed the flywheel you should be able to see where the rear main seal is leaking..that's the seal you need to replace.

 

Thanks I AM Stuck. I will try this tommorow and see if I can pry it out. The new one can be pushed in by hand ?

 

you'll need a small block of wood to place on top to tap with a hammer to tap it in place..just check the old one before removing so you'll know how far to tap in new one. If you need to get it in further then the block of wood will allow..take a 3/8 ratchet extension and use that and tap on that all the way around seal evenly to press it in further if needed. it goes in pretty easy.

 

Thanks I Am Stuck

I managed to remove it, although it came out pretty beat.Im was careful not to score anything. I will have the new one shortly. All goes well, albeit it's kind of awkward back in there.

 

It is a hard place to work in..luckily my truck is lifted..4inch suspension and 3 inch body with 35 inch tires..so i'm able to sit upright under there..just a matter of getting the arms up in there.