Front Main Seal
#11
It's easier than you think. I just did this and had posted the following in another thread of mine.
Like someone mentioned above I think oil can be a cause to a new leak.
Bought my 04 Dakota in September 2012 and did an oil change with standard 5W-30 & a Fram filter. Noticed a very slow leak develop that I didn't have before this. Cleaned everything up so I could start finding the source of the leak. Turns out the front main oil seal (crankshaft) was leaking. I tried some AT-205 sealer that was supposed to be awesome...Didn't work. I replaced the seal being very careful not to scratch the housing. I felt a little nick/gouge from what could be a boner using a screw driver on a prior seal replacement.
- Buy a seal puller ($10)
- I rented a free 3 jaw puller like the one in the link above...I did this job within 2 hours including parts/tool pick up and tool return. Not trying to take a sale away but the rentals are free!
- Don't remove the crank shaft bolt all the way so the puller has something to work against. Use a large screwdriver to lock the harmonic balancer in place for removal and installation (I don’t have a strap wrench).
- I didn't heat anything it all went back together nicely and to properly seat the seal I used a 2-3/4" PVC union that fit the diameter of the new seal and tapped it in with a rubber mallet.
Like someone mentioned above I think oil can be a cause to a new leak.
Bought my 04 Dakota in September 2012 and did an oil change with standard 5W-30 & a Fram filter. Noticed a very slow leak develop that I didn't have before this. Cleaned everything up so I could start finding the source of the leak. Turns out the front main oil seal (crankshaft) was leaking. I tried some AT-205 sealer that was supposed to be awesome...Didn't work. I replaced the seal being very careful not to scratch the housing. I felt a little nick/gouge from what could be a boner using a screw driver on a prior seal replacement.
- Buy a seal puller ($10)
- I rented a free 3 jaw puller like the one in the link above...I did this job within 2 hours including parts/tool pick up and tool return. Not trying to take a sale away but the rentals are free!
- Don't remove the crank shaft bolt all the way so the puller has something to work against. Use a large screwdriver to lock the harmonic balancer in place for removal and installation (I don’t have a strap wrench).
- I didn't heat anything it all went back together nicely and to properly seat the seal I used a 2-3/4" PVC union that fit the diameter of the new seal and tapped it in with a rubber mallet.
#12
How many tools are there? Im all about having the right tools but it may not be worth it for me just for a time or two use. i have replaced a front main before and familiar how to do it but just not on this model.
Last edited by DakCC4x4; 01-24-2013 at 11:29 AM. Reason: error