[NJHCx4xLIFE]

I need to replace my rear main seal and oil pan gasket and I'm fairly confident in my abilities but this isn't something I've ever done or an really comfortable doing.

I got a quote from the dealership I purchased the jeep from saying 700 for the rear main and another 400 for the oil pan but "we might be able to cut you a deal on the oil pan because it might need to be removed to replace the other seal". That is a load of crap since they need to pull the pan anyway.

I got another quote from a very honest dealership near me where I purchased my last jeep and they quoted $410 out the door for both seals. Seems like a pretty good deal and I actually trust these guys. Is this a decent price or should I shop around more?

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by NJHCx4xLIFE

I got a quote from the dealership I purchased the jeep from saying 700 for the rear main and another 400 for the oil pan but "we might be able to cut you a deal on the oil pan because it might need to be removed to replace the other seal". That is a load of crap since they need to pull the pan anyway.

Removing/reinstalling the oil pan is 95% of the job. Replacing the $15 rear main seal doesn't take an additional 20 minutes for someone who knows what they are doing.

Charging for the oil pan separately is an absolute crock. It is an essential part of the RMS job.

[NJHCx4xLIFE]

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Removing/reinstalling the oil pan is 95% of the job. Replacing the $15 rear main seal doesn't take an additional 20 minutes for someone who knows what they are doing.

Charging for the oil pan separately is an absolute crock. It is an essential part of the RMS job.

Thats what I thought. Does $410 for both sound reasonable?

[rouxbicon]

Sorry, I can't answer your question about a reasonable price for the job, but...

Did the '04s like yours come with the 7/70 powertrain warranty like the '03s, or had DC dropped it for '04?

If it was still in effect, are you under 70k miles, because the rear main seal should be covered under that.

[NJHCx4xLIFE]

Originally Posted by rouxbicon

Sorry, I can't answer your question about a reasonable price for the job, but...

Did the '04s like yours come with the 7/70 powertrain warranty like the '03s, or had DC dropped it for '04?

If it was still in effect, are you under 70k miles, because the rear main seal should be covered under that.

I have that warranty and they fixed the seal under warranty on my 2000. This jeep has 76,000 miles so I'm stuck paying for it.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by NJHCx4xLIFE

Does $410 for both sound reasonable?

That's definitely not unreasonable. It's a good half-day job without complications. Counting oil, materials would run around $40-50, depending on which oil pan gasket was installed.

[JakeAW]

I was quoted 400 for the same job at a reputable place. I haven't done it yet, but it's a PITA, and I need my valve cover gasket replaced, just waiting for some $$.

[Squeeky]

Around 400 is reasonable, but you can do it yourself for less then 100, thats the rear main, the oil pan gasket, the rtv and the 6 quarts of oil and any tools you may not have.

I did my rear main a few weekends ago. It took about 15 hours total but that just because I took a lot of breaks and the exhaust alone took about 5 hours to get off, the bolts were really rusted in. Air tools would have helped a ton!

Here's a great link to replacing the rear main.
http://www.jeephobby.com/repairs/rearmainseal/rearmainseal.php

[NJHCx4xLIFE]

Here is another link to a good write up I found.

http://www.dailydriventj.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=811

I just don't feel comfortable tackling this one. Suspension work and things like that don't bother me but this job does. I'd rather spend the extra money and have it be the dealership's problem if a bolt on the exhaust breaks or something. If it leaks again later down the road (which I'm sure it will at some point) I might give it a try.

[RYANSTULC]

It's not rocket science,,,,but it is an agrivating, messy, time consuming job.
I did my RM and oil pan about a month ago, and it took about 6 hours. But in that 6 hours
I fabbed a 1/4" steel plate for the bottom of my (new) oil pan.
As stated above,,,,AIR TOOLS make it much easier.
And $ 400 is definetely a fair price.

[tandbwms]

Originally Posted by Squeeky

Around 400 is reasonable, but you can do it yourself for less then 100, thats the rear main, the oil pan gasket, the rtv and the 6 quarts of oil and any tools you may not have.

I did my rear main a few weekends ago. It took about 15 hours total but that just because I took a lot of breaks and the exhaust alone took about 5 hours to get off, the bolts were really rusted in. Air tools would have helped a ton!

Here's a great link to replacing the rear main.
http://www.jeephobby.com/repairs/rearmainseal/rearmainseal.php

Hi all, just wanted to mention that the jeephobby website is no longer available. I recently lost the domain during when it expired and someone else picked it up for the purpose of selling it back to me. Nice huh. Anyways, the new site is www.mijeeplife.com - the links is still available as:

http://www.mijeeplife.com/repairs/rearmainseal/rearmainseal.php[/QUOTE]

I hope this article helped someone out.
Thanks,
Dale

[alexr40]

i paid $500 for fixing mine. included rear main seal, the transmission one, oil pan, etc.

using original parts and including the Oil.

[2jhanna]

if you really want to track $$'s, wait and do it when you need an oil change, then you have not spent $ for oil.

[never monday]

it's a no brainer if you have a torque wrench. The DailyDriven write up is a good one. If your going to pay, 400 isn't bad.

[NotmyJK]

Just an FYI for folks with a 2000 TJ on the rear main seal. My 2000 Tj was a late build and some of the parts required are from a 2001. The rear main for the 2000 I6 is a double lip seal and cost $16. The 2001 is a single lip seal that cost $31. I pulled the oil pan off and spun the old seal out only to realize that the new one would not work. Of course all the parts stores were closed by then!