C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

How much for a rear main seal replacement?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 09:30 AM
  #1  
ztron's Avatar
ztron
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Boaz Alabama
Default How much for a rear main seal replacement?

I may have to have a rear main seal replaced anybody had this done, and if so how much are we talking about? Thanks
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 09:37 AM
  #2  
Phil97SVT's Avatar
Phil97SVT
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
Default

You've got to remove the drivetrain just like a clutch swap, usually 600-1000.
Phil
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 09:38 AM
  #3  
EHS's Avatar
EHS
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Default

I had it done twice under warranty.

The parts cost are minimal, but the labor is at least a day.

8 x your labor cost, plus $75 in parts.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 10:51 AM
  #4  
ztron's Avatar
ztron
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Boaz Alabama
Default

I just got a est. for the rear main seal, the stealership was $500-600.00. is this something a local general mechanic can do as to save some money, or would you guys feel more comfortable with a GM service guy,,,, any comments.. I just dont feel comfortable with just any one working on it,,, I do have one guy that is a pretty good mech...
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 01:47 PM
  #5  
Cobra4B's Avatar
Cobra4B
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Default

Well I got mine replaced under warranty after seeing black spots on the floor. I had the Corvette-only tech at the dealership do it and all is well. He said in all his years he hadn't seen the rear main go out on a C5. But... I had a new clutch in that was off balance and might have caused the issue.

The trickey part is dropping nad removing the whole torque tube, transaxel and rear subframe.

If a mechanic doesn't know what he is doing he can really mess stuff up... it a very unique design.

FWIW $500 doesn't sound bad.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 07:00 PM
  #6  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by ztron
I may have to have a rear main seal replaced anybody had this done, and if so how much are we talking about? Thanks
Also be sure your not seeing the results of a leaking oil pressure sending unit. If it's the sender it will usually mean the oil will stay on the outside of the bellhousing and come down the side(s). If it truly is a rear main, the oil will be much more prevelant inside the inspection cover and/or bellhousing. HTH
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 09:04 PM
  #7  
Dave1's Avatar
Dave1
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96,209
Likes: 75
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Also be sure your not seeing the results of a leaking oil pressure sending unit. If it's the sender it will usually mean the oil will stay on the outside of the bellhousing and come down the side(s). If it truly is a rear main, the oil will be much more prevelant inside the inspection cover and/or bellhousing. HTH
...Good tip...
If your not sure what is leaking, spray it all down and get it dry and clean. Then run it again and check again for signs of leaking.....Good luck....
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2005 | 09:25 PM
  #8  
EHS's Avatar
EHS
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Default

Originally Posted by Cobra4B
Well I got mine replaced under warranty after seeing black spots on the floor. I had the Corvette-only tech at the dealership do it and all is well. He said in all his years he hadn't seen the rear main go out on a C5. But... I had a new clutch in that was off balance and might have caused the issue.

The trickey part is dropping nad removing the whole torque tube, transaxel and rear subframe.

If a mechanic doesn't know what he is doing he can really mess stuff up... it a very unique design.

FWIW $500 doesn't sound bad.
It's a big job -- the entire rear of the car gets taken out.

$500 from someone who knows what they're doing (if they do), isn't bad.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 22, 2005 | 10:17 AM
  #9  
ztron's Avatar
ztron
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Boaz Alabama
Default

I do have a sending unit problem its pegged at 80+psi,,, anyone think that this could be a issue with the oil spots...
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2005 | 05:21 PM
  #10  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by ztron
I do have a sending unit problem its pegged at 80+psi,,, anyone think that this could be a issue with the oil spots...
Sounds like you have just located the source of the leak. When my original sender went belly-up, I found some oil seeping from it too. It had partially run down the back side of the bell housing but hadn't quite made it to the ground yet. The intake manifold has to be removed (or at least unbolted and moved forward) in order to get to it.
I would recommend that you not replace it with another Delco as I have seen too many posts here from guys who did, only to find that the replacement Delco also went bad a short time later. I went with a PS-308 made by Standard Motor Products. That brand has been around for a long time and is available from a number of parts stores. It's been on for almost two years now and is working just fine. I got mine on-line from RockAuto.com. Another trustworthy brand is Borg-Warner. HTH
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To How much for a rear main seal replacement?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:14 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE