2.5L ('98-'01) Front Crank Seal Wear Groove - need a repair sleeve

[Henry68]

Noticed a wear groove on the crankshaft when I removed my leaking front main seal. Not surprised, it was original @180k miles. Anyway, I'm searching for a repair sleeve with no luck. The closest I have found is a repair sleeve for the front auxillary shaft (via rock auto). On the 2.5 engine, the cam, oil pump and my front crank seal all use the same seal. Does this mean the auxillary shaft repair sleeve will fix any of those three seals?

 

[Blmpkn]

I would assume so?

as they say though... while curiosity may have finished the cat off.... assumptions got its first 8 lives.


Ok mabey THEY don't say that. Ive said that though. This is the second time. Send me cookies for inventing such a good saying pls.

 

[Dirtman]

You can just measure it and then look up the sleeve by the dimensions at McMaster. That's what I've always done.

 

[Henry68]

You can just measure it and then look up the sleeve by the dimensions at McMaster. That's what I've always done.

That sounds interesting DM. When you order a sleeve by size, what kind of tool do you use to install it without the little install tool that comes with the rock auto kit? Do you fabricate something on a lathe or just use a piece of suitable pipe, etc as a driver?

 

[Dirtman]

Heat the sleeve up a bit and then just tap it on with a piece of wood and a rubber mallet. I've never needed any special tools, just patience.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Be careful, they are razor sharp.

I still have an interesting scar on one finger from doing the rear main on my 302 2 years ago.

 

[Henry68]

Heat the sleeve up a bit and then just tap it on with a piece of wood and a rubber mallet. I've never needed any special tools, just patience.

Sounds good. Do you install your sleeves dry or with sealer?

 

[Dirtman]

I've never used any sealer. You could use green loctite I suppose.

 

[Henry68]

Be careful, they are razor sharp.

I still have an interesting scar on one finger from doing the rear main on my 302 2 years ago.

Thanks 85, yes those sleeves are sharp.

 

[tomw]

One thing I have done with grooved sealing surfaces, such as a rear axle on a RWD, is to seat the seal a smidge out from fully in place. That should leave the sealing edge in a different spot, hopefully one that has not worn.
As far as the cam/pump/crankshaft, they may have the same seal diameter, but the depth of the bearing surface on the two others, cam/pump, may be different than the surface on the crankshaft. IOW, the sleeve may be too long/short, but as I think, it should be usable if short, by not driving it fully into place. If too long(deep), it may be possible to remove the excess from the outermost edge. I have not used one, but have seen them installed, so grain/block of salt...
tom

 

[Henry68]

One thing I have done with grooved sealing surfaces, such as a rear axle on a RWD, is to seat the seal a smidge out from fully in place. That should leave the sealing edge in a different spot, hopefully one that has not worn.
As far as the cam/pump/crankshaft, they may have the same seal diameter, but the depth of the bearing surface on the two others, cam/pump, may be different than the surface on the crankshaft. IOW, the sleeve may be too long/short, but as I think, it should be usable if short, by not driving it fully into place. If too long(deep), it may be possible to remove the excess from the outermost edge. I have not used one, but have seen them installed, so grain/block of salt...
tom

A mechanic I know has overcome wear ridges in rear main crank shafts by driving new seals in 1/32 - 1/16 deeper so the seal rides on clean metal. I like your idea, as it's the same concept. A new front seal could be shimmed with some gasket material to change it's final position just a hair (20-30 thou) so it would ride on unworn metal. I wonder if there's any benefit to lightly polishing (400-600g) the shaft surface before seal installation? Thanks.

 

[Dirtman]

You could always send it to me, I'll thermal spray it to build it back up and machine it to size for you. $5,000 sound fair?

 

[Henry68]

You could always send it to me, I'll thermal spray it to build it back up and machine it to size for you. $5,000 sound fair?

I'm still waiting to hear back from nasa but if they don't call me back we can work something out.

 

[Dirtman]

I do know people who have paid insane amounts of money to have crankshafts or other rotating parts rebuilt that way... generally only things that us mortals can't find replacements for.