replacing front tranny seal?

[Bobb-o]

front tranny seal on my '90 Chevy k1500 is leaking (i go through aboot a quart every week or so). How easy of a fix is this? or am i better of bringing it in and having it done. have done a fair amount of work on vehicles, many of them chevys, but in no way would i consider myself an expert. also if i were to do this myself are there any special tools i would need?

[anyfishwilldo]

The job is not that hard, especially if the truck is 2wd. 4wd is a little harder, but not that much. All you need to do is drop the tranny, remove the torque convertor, and r&r the seal. Make sure you grease the seal before driving it in so the spring doesn't fall out. Also when you put the convertor back in, make sure it is in all the way. The way you can tell, is if when you put it in, your fingers won't fit behind it. One more thing, check the seal surface on the convertor very well, and brush it up with some emery too. While you have the tranny out it is also a perfect time to change the filter, and put Amsoil ATF back in it.

[theoilman]

A quart a week is definitely to the point of repairing. If it gets away from you and you don't keep it full you will burn up the transmission from low fluid. Also, don't overfill - it will run hot then.

Replacing the front seal is a large amount of work. You didn't say if it is a 2wd or 4wd. The 4wd can be a real job. Removing the transmission with the transfer case without experience can be a challenge of a balancing act! First you will need a jack capable of handling the transmission to drop it. Remove the transmission with the torque converter - most gasoline GMs will have 3 bolts to attach the converter to the flywheel/flexplate. You will have to turn the engine by hand to get to them. Note that the front face of the converter about how deep it is inside the bell housing before removing it from the transmission. A hint for installing the new seal in the front pump: pack the inside of the seal with vaseline or transmission assembly lube to hold the tension spring in so it doesn't pop out while installing.

When you put the converter back spin it while pushing in gently. There are at least 3 gear engagements to get it to drop into place keep on spinning and pushing, make sure it goes back in to the depth you checked at the beginning.

This is not meant to be complete, just a couple of highlights of the trouble areas of the job.

[Bobb-o]

forgot to add it is 4wd

[anyfishwilldo]

One more issue you may run into is the exhaust. Sometimes it is a real pain to remove the tranny without dropping the exhaust down from the manifolds, and being the truck is a 90, I can only imagine what the manifold studs look like.