Rear main update

[rangerjimbo]

I got the cap off. Seal came out real easy, it was offset. I guess it was done before. Couple more questions, and thanks to those who have helped me today. I am debating on which way to go, rubber side seals of RTV. Any takers? Also, I got some debris in the cap bearing cleaning the old RTV, what’s the preferred way to clean that (break cleaner, WD-40, ect...)? The oil screen has a little metal shavings, is that common? The bearing has a little wear, is that a problem, I know many don't recommend replacing. The car only has 28,0000 original miles. Thanks for all the assistance.

 

[GNTIM]

I got the cap off. Seal came out real easy, it was offset. I guess it was done before. Couple more questions, and thanks to those who have helped me today. I am debating on which way to go, rubber side seals of RTV. Any takers? Also, I got some debris in the cap bearing cleaning the old RTV, what’s the preferred way to clean that (break cleaner, WD-40, ect...)? The oil screen has a little metal shavings, is that common? The bearing has a little wear, is that a problem, I know many don't recommend replacing. The car only has 28,0000 original miles. Thanks for all the assistance.

Rubber side seals of rtv? Please rephrase. Describe debris in cap and bearing wear, also is the metal in the pan aluminum?. Do you see copper on bearing surface? I always use brake cleaner when doing this kind of work.

 

[rangerjimbo]

I meant to say rubber side seals "INSTEAD" of just pressing RTV in there. Sorry about that. I coated the rubber side seals and the metal pins with RTV. The wear on the main bearing was nothing major, just some areas more worn than the rest. No copper areas. I am really not sure what the metal slivers are stuck to the oil screen. I think its aluminum. They are very fine though. Just wondering if that is normal or something I need to be concerned about. I tried not to use too much RTV on the main cap mating surface. I just hope it was enough and none spilled over into the man bearing. It was my first rear main seal replacement so I am a little weary of results. By the time I put it back together it will have dried for 72 hrs, I hope that will be enough.

 

[GNTIM]

I meant to say rubber side seals "INSTEAD" of just pressing RTV in there. Sorry about that. I coated the rubber side seals and the metal pins with RTV. The wear on the main bearing was nothing major, just some areas more worn than the rest. No copper areas. I am really not sure what the metal slivers are stuck to the oil screen. I think its aluminum. They are very fine though. Just wondering if that is normal or something I need to be concerned about. I tried not to use too much RTV on the main cap mating surface. I just hope it was enough and none spilled over into the man bearing. It was my first rear main seal replacement so I am a little weary of results. By the time I put it back together it will have dried for 72 hrs, I hope that will be enough.

The metal might be from the cam timing gear wearing. Common on these motors. As long as your clean about the job and torque the cap right you should be o/k. You don't need alot of rtv. Good luck.

 

[rangerjimbo]

I was pretty clean. I cleaned everything (except the bearings) with brake cleaner. It was a tight area between the bearing and the cap mating surface. I just didn't want any RTV to spill onto the bearings after I torque'd the cap down at 100 ft/lbs. I would think that could be bad, don't know how bad, but bad none the less. Thanks.