Rear Main Seal OEM or Felpro

diezelraccoon · Oct 21, 2024

For my 03 Tahoe 2wd with the 5.3 I’m a bit conflicted on what brand I should get for the rear main seal and retainer gasket. I tend to want to stick OEM especially in a job this big but others are telling me Felpro brand is just as good if not better. I’ve got a local parts place here selling both for $42.99.

What do y’all recommend?

strutaeng · Oct 21, 2024

I've been using FelPro one for the 2 jobs I've done, but wouldn't hesitate to use the OEM.

Buy the centering/installation tool.

Fless · Oct 21, 2024

Why is this a new thread, and not a continuation of the other thread you have going?

diezelraccoon · Oct 21, 2024

Fless said:
Why is this a new thread, and not a continuation of the other thread you have going?

Because it’s a totally different topic. It’s about OEM vs aftermarket parts for this job.

diezelraccoon · Oct 22, 2024

strutaeng said:
I've been using FelPro one for the 2 jobs I've done, but wouldn't hesitate to use the OEM.

Buy the centering/installation tool.

With the centering tool I am seeing a few and also seeing a couple different methods in installing the new rear main seal. I’ve seen some where they install the seal into the plate with it out of engine and ones where they put the plate back on and then use the centering tool and then torture the bolts down and then install the main seal. I am not sure how you would use the centering tool doing it the first method I mentioned.

What do you recommended?

strutaeng · Oct 22, 2024

This is how I do it:

I bought that tool as well.

viven44 · Oct 22, 2024

strutaeng said:
This is how I do it:

I bought that tool as well.

Thanks. Nice tool.

Just a couple of dumb questions since I've never put my hands on a GM LS gen small block before.

Wouldn't it be possible to remove the old seal and the cover together... then reinstall it together so the old seal works as a centering implement. If its not possible to remove the cover in the first place with the seal in place that is understandable.

Second, if you don't have the cover bolts snug and the cover can still move around, wouldn't tapping in the new seal make the cover center perfectly well and then you can snug the bolts ?

strutaeng · Oct 22, 2024

viven44 said:
Thanks. Nice tool.

Just a couple of dumb questions since I've never put my hands on a GM LS gen small block before.

Wouldn't it be possible to remove the old seal and the cover together... then reinstall it together so the old seal works as a centering implement. If its not possible to remove the cover in the first place with the seal in place that is understandable.

Second, if you don't have the cover bolts snug and the cover can still move around, wouldn't tapping in the new seal make the cover center perfectly well and then you can snug the bolts ?

There are no dumb questions, Brother.

That's a good question, actually. Now, assuming you remove only the round seal that goes around the crankshaft flange, then you don't need to center the metal cover. You would just leave the metal-clad gasket behind the cover untouched.

I think the issue is that the crankshaft flange seal itself is not rigid enough to center the rear cover. It is pliable so it will conform if it's not centered correctly.

89Suburban · Oct 22, 2024

strutaeng said:
There are no dumb questions, Brother.

Good man.

latvius · Oct 22, 2024

viven44 said:
Thanks. Nice tool.

Just a couple of dumb questions since I've never put my hands on a GM LS gen small block before.

Wouldn't it be possible to remove the old seal and the cover together... then reinstall it together so the old seal works as a centering implement. If its not possible to remove the cover in the first place with the seal in place that is understandable.

Second, if you don't have the cover bolts snug and the cover can still move around, wouldn't tapping in the new seal make the cover center perfectly well and then you can snug the bolts ?

Would it be possible? Maybe, would I try and find out on the rear main where you have to pull the trans again if your test fails - hell no LOL
Spend the money and buy the right tool unless you have fun pulling transmissions out.
I have that SacCity tool set for front and rear seals -it's expensive but it is nice.

Rear Main Seal OEM or Felpro

diezelraccoon

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