Anybody know how to replace the front crank seal. I have the timing cover off the truck right now, but I have no idea how to use this sleeve 'n seal kit they have.





Front seal isn't leaking currently, but it looks pretty nasty

 

You gotta bang the old on out the get a piece of PVC or something the same diameter coat the seal in oil and then press / bang it in but don't hammer directly on the seal

 

the seal is just a standard seal. lay the timing cover up on the work bench and either tap it out from the inside, or use a seal puller and yank it out from the front.

to install the new, you can use a seal driver, pipe, or piece of 2x4 to tap it into the well where it belongs. i used a 2x4. as said, hit on the outer steel ring, and not on the rubber or spring.

the sleeve is designed to slide over the crankshaft and cover up any groove that might be worn into the crank. i've never installed a sleeve, so i don't know how much pressure it takes to get it in position. when i replaced my front crank i used the timing gasket kit without the sleeve. i had no significant groove and didn't need the sleeve. how's yours look? i'd hate to get that sleeve halfway on and not be able to get it all the way on, or back off. see if someone else knows....

damn those are big pictures. you got a new camera? LOL

 

Heat the sleeve evenly, (not red hot) and it will slide right on. I used to use a propane torch.

 

So basically, you pound it out from the back, and pound the new one in from the front?

Dont need the sleeve. Crank is smooth.

Actually, I dont know why you'd need the sleeve, the harmonic balancer sits on the crank via a keyway, and the seal in the timing cover rides the harmonic balancer, does it not?

 

Seal rides on the balancer. If the surface that the seal contacts is not grooved, nicked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, you don't need the sleeve. Now, if the seal was specifically designed to be used with the sleeve.... it might have a larger ID than the stock seal, in which case.... it won't..... (seal)

If the balancer is good, just pick up another stock seal, and install that.

 

yes.
look at how the seal has rubber/spring inner section and a steel ring outer structure. from the back (inside), place a screwdriver on the steel ring and give it a few taps as you move around it. should pop right out.

my bad. sleeve would fit over the balancer.

 

The seal you will pound out from the back of the timing chain cover and pound in the new one from the front with a piece of wood or a socket that fits, the wear sleve is easy if you use a piece of wood and center the sleve over the harmonice ballancer and pound it on using the wood piece you have to use the sleve with that seal as the inner diamater of the seal is slightly larger to accomodate the sleve. its advisable to put a thin amount of rtv areound the inside of the sleve before putting on the sleve. that is how I have done many cummins 5.9 that crack the front gear case cover or go and get a seal with out a wear sleve

 

picked up a new seal for no sleeve, that went way easier than I thought.

Thanks for the tip on the screwdriver, dvaughan.

 

Dumb question: Where does that big "O" ring go on the crank seal???

Tnx