This How To: https://honda-tech.com/how-tos/a/hon...in-seal-374938

It shows replacing the rear main seal without mentioning the oil pan. Is this even possible? The 2 studs going through the oil pan make this impossible right?

For context, I drove the seal in too far because I'm dumb. I dont want to destroy a new OEM seal if I can just remove the rear engine cover and push the seal out a bit.

I hope this makes sense.

 

I have never taken any of that stuff off to change the rear main.

carefully remove the old seal

oil, then tap the new one in as even as possible

 

Thats what I did but I hit it too hard and it is way past where it should be. Dont use a 3 pound sledge because it is convenient. A 3/8 drive extension worked great until I screwed it up. The engine is supported by the oil pan so that isnt really an option. I just was hoping I could remove the rear cover (rear main housing) without taking off the oil pan. OEM rear main seal is cheap but not cheap enough to throw away.

 

You can not remove the oil seal housing without dropping the pan. You can pull the seal out of the housing without dropping the pan.

I know the thread you referenced is showing that you can but there is 2 dowels and a lip and 2 or 4 studs that is going to fight the oil pan with it in place. As well, you are to use Hondabond on the back of the housing and clean both the block and the housing up to install. Those same studs, lip and dowels are going to cause trouble getting the housing back in place without smearing your Hondabond everywhere.

If you want to remove the housing, it's best to drop the oil pan.

 

Thank you for confirming what I suspected. I guess I'll destroy this brand new oil seal and hope the dealership has another one for me.