Crankshaft seal replacement question

[mochosla]

Hi guys. I’ve spent the last hour searching the forum looking for instructions on how to replace the front main seal on my 1985 FJ60 and did not find the answer I’m looking for. So here it is. When replacing the seal, do I need to remove the timing cover and therefore replace that gasket as well? The leak seems to only be on the seal but if I see a leak on the cover I will obviously replace the gasket as well.

Thank you.

 

[jfnall]

I think you’ll have to replace the gasket on the cover as well. Or should anyway. Too tough to get to and not replace it.

 

[jfnall]

rebuilt 2F timing cover oil leak.

 

[Spike Strip]

I suppose it's possible to remove/replace the front seal with cover still on the engine, with the right puller, but if you're going to the trouble of removing the Harmonic Balancer it's a LOT easier with the cover removed.

If you do remove the cover, use the Toyota gasket, it's superior to any aftermarket out there.

And be aware the bolts go back in, in a particular order with proper torque and sealant and you'll be leak free.

 

[OSS]

I second the vote to remove the timing gear cover & replace its gasket too.
Removing the cover is the easy part. It's the HB that will give you grief.

You never want to deal with that MF HB again. How happy will you be if you replace just the front seal only to find out six months later that the cover gasket is now leaking?

One of the perks of removing the cover is you can clean it all up & paint it & make it all pretty.

 

[Spike Strip]

Btw, don't powdercoat the TC. The seal holder is soldered or brazed in and will melt at PC temps. you can kind of see it in OSSs pix.

 

[jfnall]

And check the gear squirter too and make sure it’s not in too far. That’s been my issue and just recently found out that was the problem. Have replaced the seal and gasket 4 times and still leaks.

 

[Spike Strip]

A trick is to NOT tighten the TC bolts until you re-install the HB. That way the seal is 'centered' around the HB shaft. You'll get early seal failure if wearing unevenly.

 

[mochosla]

Well, as always, you ask a couple of questions in the forum and you en up with a bunch of useful information. I will definitely replace the gasket now. It makes total sense.

Thank you very much!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Fyi tho once you put the hb in place it's a f'n bitch to get anything except a box wrench on the lower bolts.
Also a few bolts have nuts on the opposing side so beware of that and if you shear one off, you can get a replacement bolt and nut easy enough aftermarket.
Make a photo copy of the timing cover and tape the bolts to it in the order you take them off. That made life way easier for me.
And for the 46mm hb nut... have a stretch of 5' pipe to slip over your rachet handle....

 

[mochosla]

Fyi tho once you put the hb in place it's a f'n bitch to get anything except a box wrench on the lower bolts.
Also a few bolts have nuts on the opposing side so beware of that and if you shear one off, you can get a replacement bolt and nut easy enough aftermarket.
Make a photo copy of the timing cover and tape the bolts to it in the order you take them off. That made life way easier for me.
And for the 46mm hb nut... have a stretch of 5' pipe to slip over your rachet handle....

Great advice! Thank you.

 

[Beehanger]

Can one remove the crank seal without removing timing cover?

Harmonic balancer is having "wobble" issues, wondering how long I can leave this thing on there for and avoid repplacing it-- esp. if this damned timing cover needs to come off for a 3rd time.

see post: Crank pulley wobble (harmonic balancer) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/crank-pulley-wobble-harmonic-balancer.1322317/
Thanks
Dan

 

[OSS]

It’s of course possible with a special puller, but since you’re on round 3 with the HB seal, do you really want to risk moving on to round 4 if the extraction messes things up?

 

[Beehanger]

It’s of course possible with a special puller, but since you’re on round 3 with the HB seal, do you really want to risk moving on to round 4 if the extraction messes things up?

Not sure what you’re recommending. On a sidenote, Curtis also be a crank nut issue and not actually the HB?