Rear Crank seal - to lube or not?

[Roverlord off road spares]

Rave specifically says fit new rear crank seal DRY!
but after consultation with some mechanics, they all say, no never fit dry, lube them as engine startup will destroy the seal.

Well I replaced the rear crank seal not so long ago and lubed it, Guess what it leaks.

I replaced it again and fitted it dry.now have top wait and see

[clubagreenie]

I wouldn't do it. Mine went in wet, filled every groove and nook with grease, even pulled spring and cut back to tighten.

[jiri_j]

Hey guys, just wondering if you used any special tool for removing-fitting the seal. I remember that it was quite tricky to remove and fit the seal. I replaced the rear seal when I did a clutch a year ago and yes, it is leaking again :-((( I fitted the seal wet. Now, after every drive I find a tiny puddle of oil - like 5-7 drops below the drain bolt. Thanks Jiri

[alien]

How much of a lube did you give the first seal?
I would have put some clean engine oil on my finger and wiped it over the seal lips.
It's only enough to lube the seal while sliding it over the crank.

[Blknight.aus]

NO oil on the td5 seal on installation... it'll leak.

Make sure you use the included installation tool or you'll stuff it.

[Jason789]

I wouldn't do it. Mine went in wet, filled every groove and nook with grease, even pulled spring and cut back to tighten.

Hello clubagreenie,

So did the seal leak after that or not??

Cheers,

Jason

[BigJon]

NO oil on the td5 seal on installation... it'll leak.

Make sure you use the included installation tool or you'll stuff it.

Had a similar experience on a cam seal fitted to a VW turbo petrol engine. Lubed the first one, leaked within a week. Installed the second one dry and it has been leek free for months.

[clubagreenie]

Not at all, but is a V8 by comparison.

I'd listen to the Blknight. He knows all. Else he'll have your leg for that.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Hello clubagreenie,

So did the seal leak after that or not??

Cheers,

Jason

Hi Jason, Thanks for giving me a hand the other week, I really do appreciate it.
cheers, Mario

[jiri_j]

Hey guys, just wondering if you used any special tool for removing-fitting the seal. I remember that it was quite tricky to remove and fit the seal. I replaced the rear seal when I did a clutch a year ago and yes, it is leaking again :-((( I fitted the seal wet. Now, after every drive I find a tiny puddle of oil - like 5-7 drops below the drain bolt. Thanks Jiri


Sorry, forgot to mention that I got V8 model, so according to RAVE the seal should be fitted wet.

[Jason789]

NO oil on the td5 seal on installation... it'll leak.

Make sure you use the included installation tool or you'll stuff it.

How long before you know you have stuffed it ?? I know its a how long is a piece of string question but will the seal fail quickly, will it quarter or halve etc the life of the seal??

I don't doubt your knowledge but I did the rear main seal 12,000km ago(installed it with a good smear of bearing grease and used the installation tool) and have had no leaks.

I checked it to today as best I could, looking for any sign of a leak and there is none.

Is it a Pantene type of thing??

Cheers,

Jason

[Blknight.aus]

I've seen failures instantly if you dont use the installing tool and under 10K Km if put in with assembly lube

I think the failure caused by lubing is a result of oil getting on the outside of the seal attracting clutch dust then shredding the seal.