Rear Engine Plate: Service and Repair
TOOL REQUIRED^ J 36660 Torque Angle Meter
^ J 33196 Rear Main Seal Installer
^ J 41349 Rear Cover Alignment Tool
REMOVAL
1. Remove the transmission assembly.
2. Remove the flex plate. See Transmission and Drivetrain.
3. Drain the engine oil.
4. Remove the engine oil pan bolts.
5. Remove the engine oil pan.
6. Remove the rear main seal housing bolts. The bolts should stay in plate bolt holes.
NOTE: The plastic inserts in the housing are used to aid assembly only. The inserts are not required for service.
7. Remove the rear main oil seal housing.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Sealability of the rear main oil seal depends on the correct alignment of the rear main oil seal housing and the oil pan. Incorrect alignment may cause oil leaks.
1. Ensure that the oil seal is removed from the housing.
CAUTION: Do not use sealer or adhesive on the rear main housing gasket.
2. Clean the gasket from the housing.
NOTE: The plastic inserts in the housing are used to aid in assembly.
3. Install the gasket over the housing bolts in order to aid in the proper alignment of the gasket.
4. Install the housing and finger tighten all bolts (loose enough to adjust the housing) in order to hold the housing in place. Ensure that the gasket is not higher than the housing.
5. Wipe a thin film of oil on both sides of the Rear Cover Alignment Tool in order to aid in the installation and removal from the crankshaft. install the Rear Cover Alignment Tool over the crankshaft, twisting or turning will help slide it completely over the crankshaft.
6. Place a straight edge on the cylinder block oil pan flange. Use a feeler gauge in order to ensure there is no more than 0.004 inch step (high or low) on each side. Rotate the housing in order to get the step equal on each side, if necessary. If the housing can not be rotated to get a step within specification, replace it with a new housing.
7. Install all the housing bolts. Tighten the housing bolts to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.). Use the Torque Angle Meter in order to rotate the bolts an additional 50 degrees.
8. Remove the Rear Cover Alignment Tool.
9. Recheck the step height on each side in order to ensure that the housing did not move while tightening the bolts. If step height is beyond specification repeat the procedure and measure it again. If excessive clearance is still present, replace the housing.
10. Install the rear main oil seal using the Rear Main Seal Installer.
11. Install the oil pan.
12. Install the flex plate. See Transmission and Drivetrain.
13. Install the transaxle assembly.