95 850T RMS installed 3/16 deep: Ruined or OK?

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 02 Sep 2015, 00:54

I installed a new Rear Main Seal while doing a tranny swap. But I think I got carried away trying to get it even and ended up pretty deep. I'd say just under 3/16. Definitely less than 1/4".

So, is this likely to cause it to fail, or no big deal?

From the front:

From the side. Loop of metal to give estimate of how deep it is.
the loop is 9/16" diameter.

Post by **tryingbe** » 02 Sep 2015, 06:37

Way too deep. Discard, buy new and replace. I only use Volvo rear main seal.

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 02 Sep 2015, 11:50

Thank you trying bee.

So should it be flush or slightly recessed?

Post by **dosbricks** » 02 Sep 2015, 18:16

T Turtle,
I'm following this thread with intense interest because I will soon be doing this (engine is ready to be lifted from the car). Probably you are following wheelsup's excellent tutorial for engine/trans removal.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28973

His pics of the old seal appear to show it sitting inset about 1.5mm or just to the depth of the taper around the inside edge of the crankcase. That's how I've found other seals to be situated--for example rear cam or output shaft seals. I've installed output shaft seals flush with no problem, but they are thicker and have more edge to engage the outer surrounding surface.

It seems the key to installation is to work them in in a gradual fashion so as not to let them get started going crooked which is hard to set right without going too deep. This RMS is mission critical to the whole job, so starting over with a new seal like tryingbe said would be the only way I would have peace about putting it all back together. Good luck.

dos

Post by **tryingbe** » 03 Sep 2015, 00:26

850TurboTurtle wrote:Thank you trying bee.

So should it be flush or slightly recessed?

That much.

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 03 Sep 2015, 20:11

thank you. New seal going in tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.

Yes, following in the venerated path of wheelsup. With the occasional assist from RSPI on Youtube.

Post by **taxi** » 03 Sep 2015, 23:58

Hi!
I think I hammered my RMS in as deep as it could go, and I had no issues after the change. But maybe I got lucky?
I'm no expert, so if anyone can explain what would be wrong I'd appreciate it!

Post by **abscate** » 04 Sep 2015, 11:58

As long as the lip is making contact with the shaft surface it should seal.
There is no way I would leave one in beyond spec given that you have to take the engine out to fix though.

Post by **dosbricks** » 05 Sep 2015, 13:24

So 850TT, how did it go this time? Any tips/tricks for getting this seal recessed correctly?