Do you have to drain the oil on a rear main seal replacement?

[Cobra1894]

The seal is above the oil pan so do I have to drain the oil to replace it...

 

[giddyup306]

No.

 

[RacEoHolic330]

You might as well though. can't hurt

 

[Darkwriter77]

I don't see how or why and oil change would be necessary, really. I changed mine out with a Teflon seal when I did my clutch install, and there wasn't any oil spewing out of there, or anything - just trace amounts of it on the inside, hardly even a dribble.

But hey, since you'll have it up on jacks or a lift, anyhow, you're just a wrench, five quarts, and a filter away from it, sooooo...

 

[tunedin302]

As stated above, you DO NOT have to drain the oil but it is a good time to do it b/c your oil pan is so easily accessible.