smokey87

Hey there guys i am looking for a pretty detailed write up on replacing the rear main seal on my 1991 jeep cherokee.it has the 4.0 liter and an automatice transmission.Any help on this would be great.thanks in advance for the help

okcjeeper

I can't give you a detailed writeup atm but I can give an explanation of the process. It's actually quite simple..Just drain the oil and remove the pan. Then remove the rear bearing cap, using a wooden dowel to push the top seal out, replace it and the lower seal a dab of RTV on each side of cap and replace and torque to specs..Now would also be a great time to replace the oil pump and pickup tube or at least clean the pickup tube thoroughly. Then use a new gasket and put pan back on.. Not much to it..It's really not a tough task, just takes some time and is really messy and a bit uncomfy without a lift since ya gotta lay down a long time..

smokey87

so all this stuff about having to pull the transmission is not true.i now it would probably be easier to replace the seal with the tranny out but from your explanation it doesnt look like i need to remove the transmission.thanks for the explanation

okcjeeper

Only ones you must remove the trany are 1 piece rear main seals..the 2 piece style does not require removing the trany.. The 1 price style ya have to just because that is the only way to get it out. 2 price style is held in by the rear main bearing and easy to get to without remove the trany.

BlueXJ

Smokey try this link. Sorry I took so long I knew I had this just couldn't remember what it was filed under. CLICK HERE

RicanXJ

I just did mine this past weekend, I use the article above^^ to do mine, I also had to disconnect the sway bars links, steering link and track bar in order for the suspension drop enough so the oil pan clear the axle.
Dont forget to disconnect the battery before removing the starter...............

tizoc69

I would like to replace my rear main seal but how do I know if it has a one piece or two piece and if it has a one piece, is it easy to remove.

Tucker

I did mine a while back and I didn't pull any thing to drop the suspension any more than it would. I have a 4.5" lift also and my pan came out just fine. don't waste your time pulling the tranny and it will be as simple as OKC made it sound!!

XJ2Door

Is the process the same for a 2.5L?

mike37

should be

Programbo

Interesting write up on how to remove this seal..I have had an ongoing oil leak between my engine and transmission (94' Cherokee with a 4.0 and automatic) and have always assumed it was the rear main seal but have put it off for over a year because I assumed it would be required to remove the transmission/transfer case....Is there any way of knowing if one has the one piece or two piece seal before going thru all the trouble of taking everything apart?..I mean was one more commonly installed at various times than the other during the course of Jeeps being produced?

98 JeepJeep

pretty sure they have been 2 piece for a while.....

Cherokeesport2030

i own a 2001 cherokee sport and my main seal or my oil pan gasket leaks a good amount of oil. i was ready some replys and how do you know if u can get away without taking the tranny off to replace?

okcjeeper

You do not need to remove the tranny it's a 2 piece seal. if it was a 1 piece design then you would have to remove the tranny. Our XJ rear main seals are all 2 piece so you should be good to go with no tranny removal.

nick_n_ii

YA, tranny does not need to be removed...