Rear seal leak on 3500 3 cylinder diesel

[Treebob38]

Simple question can the rear seal on these be replaced without separating the tractor. Mine is leaking, and manual looks like its a two piece seal. Has anyone ever done one by dropping the pan and removing the rear cap and rolling in a ne seal?

 

[RickB]

Zero chance of replacing the rear main seal without splitting the tractor and removing the flywheel from the crankshaft and the rear plate from the block.

 

[Treebob38]

Yeah once i went out and crawled around under it i realized that too. Looks like i have to drop the front axle and then split the thing. Dang!

 

[RickB]

No need to remove the front axle.

 

[Treebob38]

But it appears to be connected to the oil pan at the back pivot. I see no way to get the pan off without removing it or the entire fron radiator assembly, but would still have to disconnect it from the oil pan. What am i missing?

 

[RickB]

But it appears to be connected to the oil pan at the back pivot. I see no way to get the pan off without removing it or the entire fron radiator assembly, but would still have to disconnect it from the oil pan. What am i missing?

What makes you think you need to remove the oil pan? Split it at the clutch housing/block interface.

 

[Treebob38]

My manual show the rear seal being under the main bearing cap.

 

[RickB]

Rear main seal replacement is accomplished from the rear without removing the rear main bearing cap or oil pan. You need a service manual or you are never going to get this done efficiently.

 

[Treebob38]

I have a service manual.
Thanks

 

[City Farmer]

This is what Rick is talking about. Here's the engine I'm putting in my 4400, it's from a 3500. The axle comes off with the engine and the seal is behind the flywheel. There was a few drops of oil on the seal so I pulled it out this afternoon. While I'm there, I'm replacing all the clutch parts and tran's seal too. I'd check the rear main for slop while your there. Hopefully it's not the cause of your leaking oil. Mine has .002 with me lifting for all I'm worth. Anything over .005 and the service manual says it's time to overhaul the engine.