This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear main crankshaft seal on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine, requiring transmission removal to access the seal housing.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear main crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM Toyota specification
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90430-12031 or equivalent
• Rear main seal housing gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission fluid × 1 — Toyota WS ATF
• Engine oil × 1 — Toyota Genuine 0W-20

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 5 qt
• Toyota WS ATF — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 90 seconds for airbag system to discharge
3. Raise and safely support vehicle on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove engine under covers and splash shields
5. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
6. Remove front wheels if needed for improved access to subframe
7. Install engine support bar across engine bay or attach engine hoist to support engine weight

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect transmission electrical connections
   Disconnect all electrical connectors from transmission including shift solenoids, speed sensors, and wiring harness brackets. Label connections for reassembly. Remove any wire harness mounting brackets attached to transmission bell housing.
   Torque spec

   Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove exhaust front pipe and heat shields
   Disconnect exhaust front pipe from manifold and catalytic converter. Remove exhaust hangers and lower front pipe. Remove any heat shields blocking access to transmission bell housing.
3. 3

   Drain transmission fluid
   Remove transmission drain plug and drain fluid completely into suitable container. Remove transmission fill plug to ensure complete drainage. Note: Fluid will need to be refilled to proper level after reassembly.
4. 4

   Remove axle shafts from transmission
   Remove both front axle shaft retaining nuts. Use appropriate puller or pry bar to separate axle shafts from transmission output flanges. Support axle shafts with wire to prevent damage to CV boots. Plug transmission output openings to prevent fluid loss and contamination.
5. 5

   Remove torque converter access cover and bolts
   Remove lower transmission access cover. Rotate crankshaft using 19mm socket on crankshaft pulley bolt to access each flexplate-to-torque converter bolt. Remove all flexplate bolts and retain for inspection. Mark flexplate-to-torque converter orientation for reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)

   Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Disconnect shift linkage and cooler lines
   Disconnect transmission shift cable or linkage at transmission lever. Remove retaining clips and disconnect transmission cooler lines, allowing remaining fluid to drain. Cap open lines and ports to prevent contamination.
7. 7

   Support and remove transmission
   Position transmission jack securely under transmission pan with wooden block to distribute weight. Remove transmission mounting bolts and crossmember. Remove all transmission-to-engine bolts noting length and location variations. Carefully separate transmission from engine, ensuring torque converter remains with transmission. Lower transmission away from vehicle.
   ⚠️Transmission must be properly supported on jack before removing bolts. Ensure torque converter is secured to prevent falling during removal.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove flexplate
   Lock flexplate using appropriate holding tool. Remove all flexplate mounting bolts in reverse of tightening sequence. Carefully remove flexplate from crankshaft. Inspect flexplate for cracks or damage, especially around bolt holes and ring gear.
   Torque spec

   Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove rear main seal housing
   Remove all bolts securing rear main seal housing to engine block. Carefully separate housing from block using plastic pry points if provided. Do not pry against sealing surfaces. Remove housing and old gasket material. Clean all gasket surfaces on both engine block and housing thoroughly using plastic scraper and brake cleaner.
   ⚠Do not damage machined gasket surfaces on block or housing. Use only plastic tools on sealing surfaces.
   Torque spec

   Rear Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Gasket Surface Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Remove and inspect old rear main seal
    Carefully pry out old rear main seal from housing using seal puller or appropriate tool. Inspect crankshaft sealing surface for scoring, grooves, or damage. Clean crankshaft surface thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free cloth. Minor imperfections can be smoothed with 2000-grit sandpaper if necessary.
11. 11

    Install new rear main seal
    Apply thin coat of clean engine oil to new seal lip and outer diameter. Using proper seal installation tool or appropriately sized driver, carefully press new seal into housing ensuring it seats squarely and evenly. Seal should be flush or slightly recessed per manufacturer specification. Do not drive seal in crooked or damage seal lip.
    ⚠Seal must be installed perfectly square. Any cocking or misalignment will cause immediate oil leak upon startup.
12. 12

    Install rear main seal housing
    Install new housing gasket or apply thin bead of appropriate RTV sealant to housing mating surface per manufacturer specification. Position housing onto engine block, ensuring seal lip properly contacts crankshaft. Install all housing bolts finger-tight, then torque in cross pattern to specification. Allow RTV to cure if used per product instructions before adding oil.
    Torque spec

    Rear Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Gasket Surface Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall flexplate
    Clean flexplate mounting surface on crankshaft. Apply threadlocker to flexplate bolt threads per manufacturer specification. Position flexplate to crankshaft in correct orientation. Install all bolts finger-tight, then torque in star pattern to specification. Lock flexplate and verify all bolts are properly torqued.
    ⚠Flexplate bolts are critical fasteners. Use star pattern and ensure proper torque to prevent crankshaft damage or flexplate failure.
    Torque spec

    Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall transmission
    Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transmission pump (typically 3 engagement clicks). Apply thin coat of grease to torque converter pilot. Carefully raise transmission into position using transmission jack. Align transmission to engine and install all transmission-to-engine bolts. Torque bolts to specification. Install transmission mount and crossmember bolts.
    ⚠Verify torque converter is fully seated before mating transmission to engine. Measure converter protrusion if specification is available.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Connect torque converter to flexplate
    Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter bolt holes with flexplate. Install all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts finger-tight. Rotate crankshaft and torque each bolt to specification. Reinstall torque converter access cover.
    Torque spec

    Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall axle shafts into transmission and torque axle nuts to specification
2. Reconnect transmission cooler lines with new O-rings if applicable
3. Reconnect shift linkage and adjust per manufacturer procedure
4. Reconnect all electrical connectors to transmission
5. Reinstall exhaust front pipe with new gaskets
6. Install new oil filter and add engine oil with new drain plug crush washer, torquing drain plug to specification
7. Fill transmission with correct amount and type of ATF through fill port
8. Reinstall engine under covers and wheels if removed
9. Remove engine support and reconnect battery

Verification

• Start engine and check immediately for oil leaks at rear main seal area
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and recheck for leaks
• Check transmission fluid level per manufacturer hot checking procedure and adjust as needed
• Test drive vehicle through all gears and verify proper transmission operation
• Perform transmission relearn procedure with scan tool if required for this model year
• Recheck oil and transmission fluid levels after test drive
• Inspect under vehicle after 50-100 miles for any signs of leakage

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