im replacing the drive shaft seal for the opti tomorrow and was just wondering if there were any tips to make it not leak. this is the third time im replacing it and i dont want to do this again. the second time was due to faulty installation that a friend did, but i should have been watching more carefully so its my faulty either way. the first i thought was in good but it leaked as well. so if anyone knows a trick for the non-vented opti let me know.

 

Just drive it home "squarely" and it should be fine.

 

Take the drive spline out. Clean the timing cover recess the seal goes in very well ~ use laquer thinner or brake cleaner. Make sure there are no burs from removing the old seal ~ clean them up w/ sandpaper or a dremel tool. Lightly grease or oil the OD of the new seal ~ I also like to put a little grease on the sealing surface where the spline passes through. Find a socket that is the same diameter as the OD (Outside diameter) of the opti seal & tap on the socket keeping it square to the cover. Done.

 

I don't ever use any lubricant on the outside of a round seal. They usually have a coating on them that helps to seal it to the cover when it is installed.

 

i'll give it a shot, thanks shoebox.