Replace rear seal on 2004 5 speed?

[Ferris Bueller]

Anyone replace the rear seal on a 04 or similar 5 speed? I changed the fluid on mine last night and only about 1/2 quart came out. There is spray on the underside of the cab.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Check your shift rail plugs. There is more info in the tech library on it.

 

[Earl43P]

That seal is quite easy.
Pry old one out (I use a light hammer and a small common screwdriver to raise the lip, then twist-pry with a bigger screwdriver), clean the bore, put black RTV or gasket sealer on perimeter of new seal (where it touches the trans bore) and tap it in with a large socket. You WANT RTV to splooge out from under the metal lip.

It can be hard to get the new one started straight. I've found that even when cocked at the beginning, as long as you keep the socket driver seated, it'll drive the seal in straight with a couple good whacks. Buy two seals for good measure, they're <$5.

Be VERY glad you caught that. I find it hard to believe that an 04 would still have rubber shift rail plugs....

 

[rboyer]

I found a neat little trick for driving those seals in. Since they don't require alot of force to drive in you can use wood to do the trick. If you have a set of forstner bits around for drilling out wood then you can do this. I took two 4" long 2x4's, just find the drill bit that is slightly smaller than the metal lip around the seal and then drill a hole through the first 2x4. Screw the second one behind the one that you drilled the hole into and you have yourself a seal driver. All you have to do is put it over the seal and pound on the center of it. Also just to put this out there incase your shift rail plugs are leaking, it is common to replace them with steel plugs to prevent future leakage. If you have to do this then just use a bolt with a 13mm head to drive them in. I personally use a bellhousing bolt from a Ranger because of how long it is.