91LS400vgb

Hi, I'm replacing the front crankshaft seal on my 1st gen LS400 due to a leak that developed recently. After removing the old seal, I applied some mp grease to the inner lip and some oil to the outside circumference of the new seal and pushed it in by hand, expecting that it would be necessary to hammer it in with a small piece of pvc pipe as I have seen others do. However, I was surprised that I was able to push it nearly all the way in by hand. It was nice and snug when I pushed it in, and I only had to drive it in about a mm with the pipe to make it flush with the engine. Is it normal that I was able to push it in by hand so easily? I really don't want to take everything apart again if it leaks again. Should I be concerned that this thing is going to pop out of place? Thanks very much.

williamb82

itll pop out because you put oil on the outside of the seal. you should have left it dry and cleaned the outer surface it presses into with brake cleaner or acetone and dried. that is meant to be a friction fit. if i were you id pry it out. buy a new seal, and install it properly. itll suck to loose your engine over a $5 seal because you oiled the outer ring.

deanshark

How much grease and oil did you put on it? I just did my seal b/c I did the t-belt again. Mine went in not hard, but not that easy. I did have to use a peice of pipe to hammer it in. Also, mine went in a tiny bit more then flush. I don't think you're supposed to have oil on the outside of it, just the center. Was yours an OEM seal, what brand? Mine were Beck/Arnley. I've only gone about 100 miles but I don't see any leaks yet.

91LS400vgb

I think you and williamb82 are correct - my mistake was putting oil on the outside of it - I just dipped my finger in some oil and wiped it on. I wasn't careful about reading the manual. I did have to hammer it in for that last millimeter. I got the same seal as yours - Beck/Arnely made in Japan. Thanks for the responses.

91LS400vgb

Just to be on the safe side, I just bought an OEM seal from my closest Lexus dealer - part # 90311-A0001 ($12.31). I'm going to clean the area with brake cleaner as William suggested, and install it properly this time.

deanshark

Sounds like the right, and best, thing to do. You didn't have everything back together, did you? You should also do the cam seals if you haven't already.

williamb82

glad to hear it. last thing you want is that thing to pop out. the ls has no oil pressure gauge so if it pops out, you wont know till its too late. by the time the low oil light comes on, the bearings will be toast. happens on modded 2jzgte's all the time if precautions arnt taken to prevent it.

1uzs14

hey guys my 1994 1uzfe just started leaking from the crank seal,i have done the water pump and the timing belt, but I have no idea on how to replace this seal? any instructions or tips will help. I am still confused on how to install and the proper lubrication of the seal.thanks.

91LS400vgb

it's basically the same procedure as doing the timing belt. In addition, you need to remove the harmonic balancer. I bought a special tool to do that - it's a Schley 64300 Lexus/Toyota Harmonic Damper Holding Tool. Removing the seal itself is like in this video at 4:00: Just make sure you install the seal dry on the outside.

1uzs14

great thank you for the information. another question is will that gear that drives the timing belt,does that slip off or is it *** stubborn as the harmonic balancer? and so I only lube the inside of the seal and use a quick dry lube like break cleaner to lube the outer part of the seal?thank you.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I dont understand your question, but if you read the above you should be able to install it.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I posted a link in your thread. You will most likely have to work the gear off.

1uzs14

will do thanks ill update my thread with my replacement and my build thanks for the help!

Louie7

The guy in the VIDEO applies oil to the inside AND OUTSIDE of the seal. Just sayin'...