Thread: Front and rear main seal

I have done some searching, but want to confirm. Since I have the transmission out and the car on stands I decided now would be a good time to change out the main seals on the engine with new OEM ones. My major question is are both seals supossed to sit flush? I've read that the front for sure does, but have seen conflicting information on the rear. I installed it until it stopped, about 2 to 3 mm in towards the engine past flush. I do know the newer oem seals are thinner than the old. Is this wrong? Thanks.

I have always made all my crankshaft and axle seals flush.Never had a problem doing it that way....whether it is "proper" or not I can not say.
I have had cars that the axleseals leaked from being in too far when I got the car,but fixed them easily with new properly installed seals.

The problem is if you put the rear main in too far and it leaks,its the hardest one to get back in there to redo.That being siad,I think I would take care of it now if possible

Thank you for the response eggman. I was hoping that with all the knowledge around this place someone could school me on the "proper" way to install the rear main seal. I had just read a few posts talking about it either way. Especially rwd folks who take the cover off to change it and seat it all the way in, not flush. This is definitely not a seal I want to drop the transmission again for to fix.

Not taking anything away from your answer Eggman, but anyone else care to chime in?

You want it to sit flush with the housing its in. Not sunk in.