Do I need to lower engine to replace front main seal

Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
So I've been told I need to lower the eninge 2" to be able to change front main seal? Also do I need the special 3 point puller to get pulley off?
Wednesday, August 13th, 2025 AT 7:03 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
You need to lower it to get room enough to get the balancer off the crank snout. There isn't enough room for the puller and crank snout with the engine in stock position. You need the remover and installer kit to get it off and back on. You can generally get it as a loaner tool.
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Thursday, August 14th, 2025 AT 1:17 AM
Tiny
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Do you know where the lift points are on the engine for engine support bar?
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Thursday, August 14th, 2025 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Check the other post you put up.
https://www.2carpros.com/questions/engine-lift-points-for-2013-impala-ltz
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Thursday, August 14th, 2025 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
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Thanks I didn't see the notification.
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Thursday, August 14th, 2025 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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No problem.
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Thursday, August 14th, 2025 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
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Ok just a fyi. I used a cheater bar to pop the bolt on the Pulley. The AutoZone has a loaner tool #57139 it's a low profile puller for Chrysler and some gm. Got it pulled through the wheel well. All told took me 5 mins to take off didn't have to lower or remove anything. I'll probably have to remove radiator hose to get belt on otherwise just the wheel well. Thanks for the info.

I don't have a seal puller and don't want to scratch up the inside any suggestions?
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Sunday, August 17th, 2025 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Surprised they have it as it's not what they normally stock around here. I have one but it came off a truck. For pulling the seal, grab a screw like a sheet rock or similar and screw it into the flat on the seal and use it with a short bar to pull the seal out.
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
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Great idea thanks. Ya I noticed there is a few low profile pullers for gm. Some are pretty cool instead off having to use hooks to grab the back of the pulley the have L shaped notches so it's more like a twist top around the inner arms of the pulley. Reasonabley priced as well.
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Depends on where you shop if the price is reasonable these days. I have drawers full of the specialty tools over the years. Some were OK, others are made of gold. I'm glad you have a better store there that actually has the better tools. I've used the screw trick for years on seals like those. I try not to use anything that would remove metal from the seal, so the sharp point on the screw gets tapped into the seal like a nail, then screwed in. 2 of them 180 apart works the best on larger seals.
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
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Is the best way to install the new seal to press in place then use a screwdriver backwards(or any flat surfaced item) and tap it in?
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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I usually use a pipe or similar and then tap around it in a circle to get the seal into place. That spreads the force around so the seal doesn't distort as it seats. Be sure to lube the seal lips where they ride on the crank and be sure the spring doesn't come out.
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 1:11 PM
Tiny
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Spring? I haven't seen one thanks. I don't have that big of a socket but pipe idea is good thanks. Now with the tightening of the bolt. I know you have to use a torque wrench. What about the 150° part how important is that? Is there anyway to do this without an angle torque?
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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There is a spring on the back side of the seal, it applies a constant pressure. Tighten it to the starting number 75 lb ft, stop, mark where the wrench is, now go straight across, that is 180. Tighten until you get 1 inch away from the 180 mark. Should put you close enough to 150
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
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Thanks
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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You are welcome. Let us know what the results are.
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 10:00 PM
Tiny
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So got seal in and got the pulley started. I was told to use old pulley bolt to install pulley. The bolt is too short for the threads to connect. Can I use same pipe that I pounded seal in to push pulley on so I can get bolt started to pull the pulley into place?
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Monday, August 25th, 2025 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
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Got it. I've tighten the bolt as much as I possibly can without stripping bolt head. I've got pulley locked but haven't even gotten the torque wrench to click yet at 75lbs. Can't get a good wrench on it without extension. This meses with the torque right?
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Monday, August 25th, 2025 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Straight extension won't do much as long as you keep it straight and it's a good extension. I've tapped them on with soft mallets before. Most of the better installer tools include adapters and a puller rod but they get in the way. Torqueing them is always fun, I use a three quarter drive extra long torque wrench normally.
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Monday, August 25th, 2025 AT 3:59 PM

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