rear main seal shop prices

[1quick6]

I called the local Buick dealership to ask how much it would be to change the leaking rear main seal on my 87 TR. I was quoted $160 plus tax. The service rep also said that the price doesn't include transmission refill and an alignment, if it is needed. Reading through the instructions on the gnttype.org website, it doesn't sound like you have to even touch the trans.

Does $160 sound ok?

 

[turbolimited]

Nope, the trans stays put, along with all the fluid. I don't know what they are talking about regarding the "alignment." Oil pans gotta come off as well as the rear main cap (obviously). $160 sounds pretty good. Its a filthy miserable job to do on your back. It would be worth that much to me in headache savings, but be sure the shop is reputable and will stand behind it if ("when" is likely the more appropriate word there) it begins to leak again.

good luck.

 

[MSDGN]

If the dealer replaces it they'll most likely want to use the original rope type seal...which sucks...if you ask them to replace it with a neoprene seal they may not do it...or may do it wrong...and not guarantee it...just my opinion but if it's not your daily driver and you have a garage to work on it in do it yourself...it's not that bad plus if you plan on keeping the TR for any length of time it's a good idea to obtain as much knowledge about them as possible by doing the work yourself...on top of that you know it was done right...no offense to anyone who works at a dealership but I would never take either of my TR's to one...the guys that know these cars are long gone...

 

[1quick6]

Thanks for the opinions. It isn't a daily driver. Is it going to cause any damage to drive it with a leaking seal while I consider my options? It does drip about a tablespoon or a tad less after driving around.

My experience with being a shade tree mechanic is mostly bad luck. How does the old saying go? If it were raining whores, I'd get hit by a queer... I want to do it, but I am still nervous about taking off a cap. If the work was in a better position (ie not on a cold garage floor) I might be more inclined to do it.

 

[MSDGN]

Not going to hurt anything leaking a little like that...actually that 's normal...the leak gives the car some character...they all do it eventually...it's good to be a little tentitive about working on it...you'll be more careful that way...just take your time...work on it a little at a time...go through the archives and read up on it as much as possible...before I did my cam I must have read 100's of posts plus any howto info...it wasn't bad...I'm not trying to push you into doing it...if you really don't feel comfortable then don't but take it to a shop that knows these cars...not a dealership.