Do i put the seal in until its lined up correctly then pull out the plastic sleeve? I bought the rear main seal installer. I figure you put it in until line up, pull out the plastic sleeve, then attach the installer. Is this correct? or do i pull off the plastic sleeve first and just use the installer. I put one in back in june and it only lasted a 100 miles or so before it started leaking. the last seal did not come with a sleeve. My homemade installer didnt work to well either.

any tips to make it work this time. hopefully with the correct tool it will work this time.

 

The brand of seal could make a pretty big difference too. I bought axle seals for my '97 from Advantage. they were the cheap seals. Replaced the drivers side 3 times before i finally said to hell with it and bought a More Expensive Timken seal. Never leaked again.

 

sorry guys forgot about my post. update
well the sleeve just insured the lip did not fold. also the rear main seal did not fit the rear main seal installer OTC 7786 the felpro ptfe (grey color). dont get if you get that installer. the pink felpro rubber rear main seal fit in perfect. the grey one would not slide on the installer at all and when trying to start the seal the bolts could not reach the threads.

this was my second change out. i highly recommend the tool. the first time i tapped it in until it stopped. wrong. it really does need to be set to a specific depth. hopefully my experience will help prevent someone elses frustrations. third time i had to drop the transmission this year. first was new clutch, pressure plate, pilot bearing flywheel, and throwout bearing, second time the pilot bearing blew up making grinding noise (didnt know this until i droped the tranny again investigating) that is when i noticed rear main just started leaking. ready for 2012 to be over. then time for new ball joints and shocks.

i guess its been almost two months now and no leaks. first time lasted 30 miles or so.