I am replacing my clutch and I noticed some oil leakage from the rear main seal. I don't have my FSM yet, but I am trying to replace this seal. Do I have to remove the 3 bolts from the top of the crank shaft to replace the seal? THen remove the seal retainer (which is held on by the 3 bolts)? I am curious because it is rather difficult to get that retainer off.
You can see where all the oil that I tried to clean off was

 

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiB...3d801f4b69.jsp

Not sure if it's a ve or vq. But should help

 

http://www.vqpower.com/v2/modules.ph...howpage&pid=71
-Borrowed from someone on the org.

 

It looks like the sealant/gasket stuff is my problem. It is kinda tough to remove with the stuff on there. Any reccomendations that may help me we this.

Thanks

 

I could not remove the rear main seal using the instruction delineated in the Autozone site.

The picture you showed still contains the oil pan attached. There are two oil pans. The steel sheet metal one, where oil is drained from, the the one that is physically conntected to the block (like a V8 oil pan). I COULD NOT remove the rear main seal before removing this oil pan. So, I removed the center cross member (where front and rear motor mounts mount), and the left the engine hanging.

I hung the engine with chain (from tranny bold) to the front strut bar and the other side being supported by the right hand (passenger side) motor support.

Once all that was loosened up, I have no trouble removing the rear main seal. There is not gasket on this oil pan. Make sure that you clean it well without scartching the mating surfaces. They are relatively delicate since they are made of aluminum.

Good luck.

 

Meximax is somewhat right. The oil pan piece attached to the block is sealed by a silicone seal. The Nissan dealership tried to sell me a $40 tube of stuff. Talked to my guys at the Infiniti dealership and they said they use 3M stuff. There are however, 2 gaskets at either end of that oil pan. They are a half-moon shape and about $8 each if I remember correctly. If you dont have the option of holding the motor up you can drop the pan down and rock it back and forth over the crossmember. I did that with mine and have had no problems. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

 

I was finally able to get it out. It took quiet a bit of fanagling. got the new seal, got some permatex, its going on tomorrow. Now all i have to do is wait for the clutch kit to show up. then its VLSD maxima for me.