Rear Crankshaft Main Bearing Seal: Service and Repair

Removal Procedure





1. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle. Refer to Transaxle Replacement in Transmission and Drivetrain.
2. Remove the pressure plate assembly and the clutch disc. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement in Transmission and Drivetrain.
3. Mark the flywheel-to-engine position.
4. Remove the following components from the crankshaft:
^ Six flywheel retaining bolts
^ The flywheel
5. Remove the following components from the engine:
^ 14 bolts
^ 2 nuts
^ The crankshaft position sensor
^ The engine oil pan
6. Remove the 5 bolts for the rear main seal housing.
7. Remove the rear main seal housing.





8. Using a hammer and a drift, carefully remove the rear main seal (1) from the rear main seal housing (2).
9. Carefully install the new rear main seal into the rear main seal housing with a hammer. Tap the rear main oil seal into place so that the end face is flush with the housing seal end face.

Installation Procedure

^ Tool Required
- J 35271 Flywheel Holder





1. Install the rear main seal housing onto the cylinder block with a new gasket.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Secure the rear main seal housing with five bolts.
Tighten the 5 bolts on the rear main seal housing to 11 Nm (97 inch lbs.).





3. After the rear main seal housing has been torqued to specifications, trim any excess gasket material from the oil pan rail.
4. Apply a continuous bead of GM P/N 12346240 or of an equivalent, to the mating surface of the engine oil pan.
5. Install the engine oil pan to the cylinder block, and secure the engine oil pan with 14 bolts and with 2 nuts, starting at the center.
Tighten the engine oil pan bolts and the nuts to 11 Nm (97 inch lbs.).
6. Install the gasket and the drain plug for the engine oil pan.
Tighten the engine oil drain plug to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the crankshaft position sensor.
Tighten the crankshaft position sensor bolt to 11 Nm (97 inch lbs.).





8. Install the flywheel to the engine crankshaft.
9. Install the J 35271 Flywheel Holder to the cylinder block and to the flywheel.

Notice: Do not apply an excessive amount of sealant to the flywheel retaining bolt threads. Applying too much sealant will result in the sealant overflowing the bolt seat. This could cause the bolt to break loose during vehicle operation.

10. Apply GM P/N 12345493 or equivalent, to the flywheel retaining bolt threads.
11. Install the flywheel, and secure the flywheel with 6 flywheel retaining bolts.
Tighten the six flywheel retaining bolts to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
12. Install the pressure plate assembly and the clutch disc. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement in Transmission and Drivetrain.
13. Remove the flywheel holder.
14. Install the transaxle to the vehicle. Refer to Transaxle Replacement in Transmission and Drivetrain.