So Ive just got my rear main seal in now. Ive held off on the clutch,
cuz I dont know if ive done the seal wrong. I oiled up the seal and
tapped it in with a hammer keeping in mind that the sealing edge should
get in there straight. I couldnt get it flush so I stuck the old seal
against it and rapped it a few times around. It turned to be seated
under flush and the 12 o clock position of the seal was even a bit
lower. Sort of crooked. I would pop it back out and try again with a
new one, but they seem to be hard to get. It takes days for the parts
store to get em. What do I do?

Oh, Its 82 rabbit pickup, CIS 1.7 gasser.

Sounds like a poor installation job, which is just going to result in leaks.
Take that seal out and install a new one.

OK. I just had a seal overnighted to me. Hopefully I will get it this
week. (I gotta get done before college starts). Is there any tips for
doing this without any special tools?

Papa wrote:

A Bentley service manual will offer some, but not much, help. However,
installing oil seals is really a job for a pro. Perhaps an acquaintance with
experience installing seals can help. Otherwise your best bet is to take
your vehicle to a service center. Look for a non-dealership service center
that specializes in German cars. They will charge you less. Good luck.

Yea , be a little more patient. It sounds like you had it in, but tapped it
in too far. It wasn't bent or damaged you tapped it in to far. Tap a little
, look a little. Repeat. Flush is what you want ,It must be straight. Not
more in on one side. But if its in a little too far, but is straight, I,d
leave it .Because the rubber that seals the crank, may seal better , if
threes a wear spot from the old seal. Good luck
<thateb (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

You will be pleased to hear that I made a plate with five holes for the
bolts that fits neatly over the crank hub with the radius of the seal.
Now when I get the seal, I should be able to seat it in there flush
just perfectly after I get it started properly.

none2u wrote:

I just place a small block of 2x4 wood over it and tap it right on
center carefully. Watch to make sure it begins to seat squarely.

Good Luck
Mike

My new seal came with a nifty plastic deal that starts the sealing lip
into the groove. That was nice. My plate worked much more safely than
my hammering skills. One thought tho. My seal is flush with the crank
hub, but the engine block. Which is it to be flush to? Oh, and I put
moly grease on the seal and crank and block when I put it in. Is that
OK? Now I gotta get that clutch and tranny in tomarrow... Ahhrg.

RepairJunkie wrote: