Changing front crank seal

[Dansrx7]

Just after a bit of info I have a oil leak coming from front crank seal, how hard are these to change and what\'s involved? I\'ve been told that a spacer can drop in the engine once the 19 mm bolt has been took out. What\'s the best way to do it?

[antnicuk]

you have to be very careful when removing the front hub (19mm) bolt as the needle bearing can slip off the spacer when the hub bolt which clamps it in place is loosened.  If you cant get the engine on its back,  and are doing it with the engine in place, the best way is to wedge the flywheel towards the front of the engine. If its an FC it has a push type clutch you can wedge the clutch pedal to the floor and keep it held down but the FD has a pull type clutch so you need to get under the car, remove the small inspection plate at the front of the gearbox underneath and use some kind of prybar to wedge the flywheel towards the engine.  This will help prevent the needle bearing from falling off the spacer.  You still need to be very careful not too jiggle the engine around too much.  Just check its the front oil seal leaking and not the actual hub bolt.  

A good way to check that its all ok when you put it back is to count the exact number of turns to remove the hub bolt and then count it back in, if it gets tight early there is a good chance that the bearing has slipped off.  

Beware that the front hub bolt can often be VERY TIGHT despite only being torqued to 95 ftlbs.

[Dansrx7]

I\'m pretty sure it\'s the crank seal as it runs down the engine block as well as being flicked every where. Also engine was in a fire and the sensors around that area were also burnt so probly burnt the seal. So when I tighten Il torq to 95 ftlbs? Thanks for your help

[antnicuk]

yes, clean the thread with thinners and use a little loctite.

[davehg]

you will need to lock the flywheel from spinning

[BenLewisMav]

yes, clean the thread with thinners and use a little loctite.

Ant is this the same bolt you removed by propping a breaker bar against one of the wings then cranking the engine?
If so I actually I found this bolt harder to remove than the 52mm flywheel nut (around 300ft/lb) because of the threadlock!