Rear main seal

[Ucplayer22]

Took my 1995 gt convertible to the shop to have a leak checked out and the shop said it is the rear main seal leaking. They quoted $919 but that sounds very high to me. What would the typical cost for replacing a rear main seal be?

 

[VibrantRedGT]

The seal itself is $10. To get to the seal requires the transmission to be removed. So your paying mostly for labor. If you have a 5-speed that quote is high. How many hours did they say it would take? I think Chilton's is about 4.5 hours and most qualified mechanics can do it in less time. Figure $80-$90 per hour for even 5 hours is $425-$450. I'd say that figure is high.

 

[Ucplayer22]

It is an automatic...would that make it more complicated and add more hours to the work?

 

[revhead347]

Yeah, pulling an automatic is a bitch. I've done it a few times, and never enjoyed the process. You have to disconnect the cooler lines which means it's going to loose some fluid. I'd try and get as much done for that price as you can. If they do a complete fluid change on the transmission including dumping out the converter it might be worth it. That price seems a little on the high side, but not wholly unreasonable. There is no clutch to get full of oil, so the seal leak is simply a nuisance. If it's only leaking a little bit, you might just want to ignore it.

Kurt

 

[BANGERSTANGER76]

Im with Kurt on this one.
If it isnt too bad of a leak you can leave it alone. Just check the oil every week and keep the level up. Get the main seal taken care of when you pull your drivetrain out for overhaul. Get everything at one time 1 price.

Banger

 

[revhead347]

I've had a pinion seal leak on my rear end for the better part of my decade. It's just not worth fixing until it's time to rebuild the rear end.

Kurt

 

[xracer22]

That price is pretty high! I would say anything more than $700 is a bit much. Even that's pushing it. Vibrant is right labor $75-90 and six hours is MAX!! the seal takes lik 5 mins to replace once you get everything out of the way! you might be able to ask around and get somebody to do it at there home. If someone were to ask me i would say $400. It's a bi**h with an automatic but not that bad if you have the right equipment. such as a trans jack

 

[revhead347]

I'd do it for $400.

Kurt

 

[lager94GT]

I agree that the price is somewhat high. I have a pinion leak too and I've left it for years. With regards to the rear main seal, I let the rear main seal leak until I decided it was time for a new clutch, then had it replaced at that time.