How hard is replacing a main seal?

[Abaddon]

I'm not very mechanically inclined so I'm tempted to let the shop take care of this but figured I'd ask. I've got a 2.8l V6 with a manual transmission. I've been told it's better to have the clutch replaced at the same time since the transmission has to be dropped. Is this even worth considering doing in my driveway? This would require some kinda jack to get the transmission back in place, right? If I decide to let a shop take care of this, does anyone know what kinda price I'd be looking at to replace the clutch, throw-out bearing and rear main seal? Thanks for any advice.

[Mikz86TA]

Probably this wouldnt be a good 1st project if you arent very experienced in mechanics. Seemingly its simple if you can turn a wrench. But the clutch install is the hard part youll face. Dropping a manual in the driveway isnt too bad. Ive done an auto too many times and they are bigger and considerably heavier. A floor jack with a long reach will ease the pull out and in, as well as a good couple sets of HD jack stands. Not sure if yours is a hydraulic or cable clutch....cable is easier IMO to work with. Seal replacement is pretty straight forward on most engines. And weather or not you get the shop to do it or by yourself, it would be a good time to replce the clutch and componets if you feel its got alot of miles on it. Some shops will add the time for a clutch repl. and a rear main seal repl. seperately. This is shady and since the hour labor of the actual job overlap since both are being done at once, they should discount the labor for you. Make the shop itemize the quote. If you are unsure about who you are dealing with do this. Go in one day and have a printed itemized quote for the seal done. Go another day and have the same for the clutch repl. Then both and see if the charges are compunding on the last. Thatll tell you all you need to know about the shop. If they charge yu full induvidual laor for both at the same time 1= their crooks or 2=they dont have enough intelligence to know whats going on. Thats my 2cents. Good luck

[Hammer Head]

..Bubba & Jr.'s shop?

[Mikz86TA]

Hmmm...probably. Lets ask our B&J resident correspondent Droopy! LOL Sorry droop..HHead started it. Hehehe

[87wildside]

Buy yourself a Haynes manual, It will tell you step by step and if your not comfortable with doing it yourself at least you will have the manual for future reference.

[Abaddon]

I've got a Haynes manual but no friends who don't mind getting dirty to help me get the tranny back in the truck if it turns out to be more of a chore than I'm prepared for...you know?

Good advice on the shop quote. I may just let them do it. I feel pretty comfortable with the shop in question. They are a little pricy on most things but they do good work. I'm sure it's going to be better to just let them handle it. I agree on the clutch. My '93 S10 has 161k on it but the clutch feels fine. I'm just rough on it sometimes when sitting in traffic and the guy next to me is trying to cut me off and I refuse to let him. ;)

[87wildside]

Haha.... the trans isn't that heavy but aligning the input shaft would be a pain laying on your back and doing it by yourself.

[Abaddon]

That's all I had to hear. I've seen the little spline aligning tool that comes with the clutch but I've never used one. I wasn't sure that was going to be an easy task. I wonder if taking the bed off the truck and having someone work the back end of the transmission would even be worth considering? Heck, I'd turn the truck upside down if I thought I could do it.

[Tink]

Well, we've done a clutch on a NV4500 in our 3/4 ton and I felt it was easier to align the input shaft on that then it was to re-mate the 350 in my truck with the TH350 tranny. Definitely putting the tranny back in is a two person job, even with the tranny jack. All-in-all the clutch and seals weren't bad... removing the pilot bearing was a huge PITA.
Oh, and IMO, if you are going to replace the clutch, I'd go with a performance clutch from Zoom or Centerforce... The high performace Zoom clutch we put in our 3/4 ton was definitely worth the extra $.

[droopy89]

Bubba and Junior should never work on a vehicle

[Hammer Head]

2nd clutch job I ever did (I was 17 at the time) my friend got pissed & left me to finish his mustang. I had to bench press the trans in place.. got everything buttoned up & then I went home. Next day in auto class I told him not to **** it up again. It's really a fun job... If someone else is there to help.

[Mikz86TA]

My 86 TA too many times to count on my back with little to no help, my buddies 93 Mustang AODE (aka. POS) a few times on the back...kinda got crowded under there, my other friends 92 Ranger 302/C4 a couple times...which wasnt too hard since clearance wasnt an issue on the stock 4cyl height body/susp. and a few more random..."hey while youre standing there could you help me...."

[Hammer Head]

Yep..

[Abaddon]

I'm sure I could probably handle it. I'm not a small guy and I've got some nice ramps but it just doesn't sound like a lot of fun. I don't mind getting under my Camaro (going to put in a new fuel pump and sender unit this weekend, in fact) but since it is my work truck and I would need it, I'm probably going to let the shop tackle it. They have those nice hydralic tranny jacks and could handle it in an hour or so. It'd take me most of a day to pick up my tools after I get mad and throw them around for a few hours. :)

Step 1 in vehicle repair: know your limits. Heh

[Hammer Head]

..Step 2: Don't throw tools, it increases clean-up time.

[Abaddon]

..Step 2: Don't throw tools, it increases clean-up time.

Easier said that done when working on a S10. It's like they had trained monkeys design these vehicles! I had to test my AC blower motor the other day and they built the thing RIGHT UP ON the radiator overflow bucket. They HAD to know someone would eventually need to replace that motor! (sigh)

[CAMS]

If you have the 2 piece seal now make sure you get the new one piece setup put in there or it will leak again soon.