Hey all. I was wondering what way is best to get to the rear main seal. Pull just transmission, pull just engine, or pull both together. I am a mechanic by profession, but this is at home. No lift available, have overhead I-beam to use. What you folks think? Thanks in advance

 

i have always found it easier to just pull the whole motor and trans and do any work with it out of the car...that way there is more room to work....and is easier to connect the trans and motor together.....but others might say different

 

If you've got the 5-speed, it's only 80 pounds or so with the tranny fluid drained. Getting it off isn't all that hard, getting it on is easier with 2 people, although the i-beam and a good chainfall might do fine (getting it aligned is the tough part). With the front end on jackstands, you can slide the tranny out, or at least out far enough to not be in the way. Auto tranny is bigger and heavier, don't know if it would come out as easy, but at least with it off you'll have enough room to work.

With the tranny off, you just remove the clutch and flyweel and flexplate. RMS is right there. You can pry it out with a screwdriver if you're careful. Make sure the new one is facing correctly, and don't push it in too far... If you have the 5-speed, now would be a great time to at least replace the TOB, if not the clutch. You should be able to collect and reuse the tranny fluid.

Whole job can be done in less than a day with hand tools.

You don't need to completely remove the spindle to get the axles out. Check out the how-to's at www.boogerracing.com for pics and a description of that part at least.

Best of luck!

 

I just finished the job. The seal would have fallen all the way out if it had not hit the flywheel. It was one third of the way out and rubbing on the flywheel. All I had to do was reach down and pull the seal with my hand.

It is an Automatic trans. I just pulled the trans and did it.

Thanks for the tips all.