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Rear main seal

sahls01gmc

By sahls01gmc
in Ask A GM Technician

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sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
Posted

How difficult on a scale of 1-10 is it to replace the rear main seal on my truck? To me, it seems pretty straight forward. Unbolt transmission, replace seal, bolt transmission. Obviously, other steps apply, but is there really more to it than that?

 

Does anyone have any tips to offer when tackling this?

 

Any help is greatly appreciated!

gmtech4 Senior Enthusiast

gmtech4

Posted
Posted

have you ever done anything like this before ?,im guessing not by your questions

 

its not a first time job to do ,,,,,especially on a garage floor ,,,

 

you should rethink it

sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I've pulled the engine on my old FWD car back in High School many times. I've had to do it to replace the engine, the clutch, the transmission...and even the water pump. I'm very comfortable with tools. I'm just curious what pointers anyone has from ones that have done it on these trucks. Sorry I didn't give you the comfy cozy feeling up front. No, I'm not ASE certified or anything, but I do know my way around under the hood if you know what I mean.

 

I do appreciate the feedback, it gives me some idea of what to expect.

 

Thank you!

  • 2 weeks later...
white1500 Senior Enthusiast

white1500

Posted
Posted

You might as well do other items in the vicinity while you're there.

 

Mine was done in 2011 when the trans was replaced, so you might want to wait until that is needed.

 

I wish I had replaced the trans mounts then and a few other items.

  • 3 weeks later...
TurDuckEn Enthusiast

TurDuckEn

Posted
Posted

You might as well do other items in the vicinity while you're there.

 

Mine was done in 2011 when the trans was replaced, so you might want to wait until that is needed.

 

I wish I had replaced the trans mounts then and a few other items.

 

 

This is a smart suggestion

  • 5 weeks later...
sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
  • Author
Posted

You might as well do other items in the vicinity while you're there.

 

Mine was done in 2011 when the trans was replaced, so you might want to wait until that is needed.

 

I wish I had replaced the trans mounts then and a few other items.

What items in the vicinity do you suggest? I was hoping to wait until Spring, but it is now puking oil so I can no longer hold off. Probably going to tackle it this weekend. I will look at my malfuntcioning Transfer Case Shifter Motor while I have it all down.

 

How often should I replace the u-joints on the driveshaft? I changed them at 125,000 when they started squeaking. I'm at 255,000 now. They are not squeaking, but perhaps waiting for them to squeak is not a wise decision.

 

Thanks to everyone for the tips and suggestions!

sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
  • Author
Posted

A guy at work mentioned the excessive oil could be caused by a PCV problem. Any merit to that claim? I suppose I should change that anyways since it is a $2 part.... But would a bad PCV valve cause this? Obviously a seal was the weakest point, but was there an increase in crankcase pressure to cause it to fail?

Dnt Senior Enthusiast

Dnt

Posted
Posted

Recently had this rear seal replacement done on a 2009 5.3 (under 100k so warranty item) it took the dealership 2 days and they had parts scattered all over the shop. They were also replacing the oxy sensor but it was seized in the pipe and they bent the line trying to get it out so they also replaced the y joint pipe with the catalytic converter. I thought when I heard about the extra parts that it could just as easily have happened to me if I were doing the job myself. Then of course after studying on that for a while I immediately traded that succa in on a 2014 like a good little consumer is supposed to. So Sahls01gmc have you driven one of the 2014's yet? Come on man GM needs the sales LOL Seriously though you should check the oil sending unit before you pull the tranny I believe it is towards the back of the engine and if it leaks can easily be misdiagnosed as a rear main leak so I have had heard..................

sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks Dnt! I have not driven a new one yet, but they do look pretty sexy. I'm spending WAY LESS a month keeping this one running vs a truck payment, so I'm gonna keep it this way for a while. I've thought about the oil sending unit, are you saying the oil pump? Just making sure we're talking the same language. That would be an easier repair.

 

This did happen the other day. When taking off from a light (not launching, just normal take off) the transmission ( or so I think) almost seemed to mimic a blow off valve sound when it shifted into 2nd. The first time it happenned I thought it was the car next to me or something else because I wasn't expecting to hear that. It did happen one other time a day or two later. No other weird shifts or any other vibrations, just those 2 instances. Any thoughts what this could be?

 

Huge thanks to everyone's input and help along the way.

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