Anyone change a Dakota rear Main Seal on a 5.2 liter 4x4? I see it is a 2 piece seal so I thought I might give it a go, drain oil, pull exhaust out of the way, drop oil pan, remove oil pump then do the seal. It's probably harder than that though so what kind of snags will I hit?

Thanks, rhutson in NC

 

Manual says you have to remove the crank shaft...

 

You do not have to remove the crankshaft. I replaced the rear main seal on my 5.2 about a year ago and it was very simple. All you have to do is remove the rear-most crankshaft bearing cap, push the seal out, oil the new one and push it in, and you're set. One thing to mention though... offset the seal by about a 1/4 inch... in other words, don't make the edge of the seal where it splits flush with the cap surface... it will seal better if it is slightly offset.