Rear Main Bearing Seal 4.0L

[jandh]

Hey everyone has anyone had the pleasure of changing there Rear Main seal yet?

I picked one up from crappy tire for 27 bucks - it's a FEL-PRO product , but i noticed its a two piece seal, has anyone used a two piece seal versus a one piece, for now my thoughts are to return it and shop elsewhere for a one piece, does that sound like the right thing to do?

It's for a 4.0L XJ auto
http://www.autopartsnerd.com/item.wws?sku=BS40612&mfr=FELPRO&dpi=646515


Thanx

[Gearhead]

They are two piece   ,   period .

It's not difficult , take care to not scratch or nick the crank journal. Popsicle sticks are helpful  removing the upper half of the seal , push it around the crank far enough to get a hold of it with pliers   ( this  the scratching risk  ) . Pay attention to the orientation of the seal lip , feed new upper seal in carefully  , the other half installs to the rear bearing cap.

[ottawajeep]

What year is your xj? There is a service bulletin for pre 96 jeeps in which you replace a plug above the starter to extend the rear main oil seal life.

[ottawajeep]

can't copy and paste from mitchell on demand, but here it goes,


Some rear main oil seal failures may be caused by abraison from dirt or contamination, which can collect on the seal. Vehicle operated on dirty or dusty conditions are most susceptible to this type of failure. A rubber plug is now being used in production to eliminate an entry  point of contamination. The plug is now installed in a one inch hole in the cylinder block, directly above the starter mounting location. The plug P/N 53020465, is available through MOPAR, and should be installed any time a rear main seal service is performed. This can significantly extend rear main oil seal life for vehicle operated in these conditions.

Just go to any dodge dealer and ask for the bulletin when purchasing the plug, can't copy and paste the exact location of the plug from mitchell.
Good luck, I'll be doing mine this summer.

[jandh]

What year is your xj? There is a service bulletin for pre 96 jeeps in which you replace a plug above the starter to extend the rear main oil seal life.

My Jeep is a 1989

[cLAY]

Be happy its a two piece seal, otherwise you would be pulling the tranny to install it.

[hps4evr]

i just checked the service bulletin on the chrysler website and it is correct. there is a plug added next to the starter to eliminate any debris getting in there. but, the 4.0L rear main is a common leak no matter what. and if you wheel it then odds are good it will leak sooner then later. the first time changing it will take some time but after that its no biggie. you'll need a oil pan gasket and a new ol change as well.

[jandh]

Be happy its a two piece seal, otherwise you would be pulling the tranny to install it.

  I'm getting a hand out to do it, and the guy helping wants to pull the tranny anyway, to make sure theres no burrs or something like that, I'll most likely talk him outta it.

i just checked the service bulletin on the chrysler website and it is correct. there is a plug added next to the starter to eliminate any debris getting in there. but, the 4.0L rear main is a common leak no matter what. and if you wheel it then odds are good it will leak sooner then later. the first time changing it will take some time but after that its no biggie. you'll need a oil pan gasket and a new ol change as well.

, I have the reusable gaskets ready to go -   but I can't find that service bulletin can someone post a link if they find it again.  I should be able to get that at any Mopar dealer?