Rear Main Cap removal

M

MattMSr

Junior Member
Is it possible to remove and reinstall the rear main bearing cap to proper torque specifications with the engine still in the vehicle? I am trying to solve an oil leak and many of the threads imply that one can diagnose proper clearances on the rear main cap while the engine is still installed. However, having dropped the pan 2x, there doesn't appear to be sufficient room to fit a torque wrench and reinstall the rear main cap to proper torque specifications. My engine has only 1500 miles on it and I'm hoping the issue is that the oil drain pipe is in too far. Otherwise, if I can't pull and reinstall the cap with the engine in place, my next step is to pull it sometime in between driving seasons.
 
I have encountered the same problem with getting any bulky spanner in there to do up the nuts. If you have taken the cap off, you obviously have one that will get on to the nuts. I used the same spanner that I used to remove the nuts (there is a hole in the end of the handle) and a spring scale to apply the appropriate pressure to it. If you're good enough, you could just "do it by feel."
Let's see what others have to say.
 
I would do it by feel, but if your crankshaft has counterweights then you need to pull the engine to remove the rear main cap.
 
I've done it. You'll need an u-joint angle adapter for your socket to get at the bearing cap nuts. The really hard part was getting the pan gaskets and seals back together correctly from under the car.
 
And I'm guessing no one has had major failures/problems after retorqueing that rear main cap with the engine in the car?
 
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