This procedure involves removing the transmission to access and replace the rear main crankshaft seal, which prevents oil leakage from the engine's crankshaft-to-transmission interface.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear main crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM Toyota part number 90311-90010 or equivalent
• Rear main seal housing gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Toyota 90430-12031
• Transmission fluid (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 4.5 qt
• Toyota WS ATF — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and secure away from battery post
3. Raise and support vehicle securely on four jack stands at manufacturer lift points
4. Remove front wheels if needed for access to subframe mounting points
5. Install engine support fixture across engine bay to support engine weight during transmission removal
6. Place oil drain pan under engine and drain engine oil completely, then reinstall drain plug with new crush washer
7. Remove engine under covers and splash shields to access transmission and subframe
8. Drain transmission fluid from transmission drain plug if equipped with automatic transmission

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect transmission electrical and mechanical connections
   Disconnect all electrical connectors from transmission including vehicle speed sensor, shift solenoids, and transmission range sensor. For automatic transmissions, disconnect shift cable from transmission lever and bracket. Label all connections for proper reassembly.
2. 2

   Remove exhaust front pipe
   Unbolt the exhaust front pipe from exhaust manifold and downstream catalytic converter. Support exhaust system and remove hangers as needed to lower front pipe away from transmission bellhousing area. This provides clearance for transmission removal.
3. 3

   Disconnect axle shafts from transmission
   Remove the axle shaft retaining nuts at each front hub. Using a pry bar, carefully separate both axle shafts from the transmission differential. Support axle shafts with wire to prevent damage to CV boots and ABS sensors. Plug transmission openings with clean rags to prevent fluid loss and contamination.
   ⚠Do not pull on axle shafts by the CV boot or damage will occur. Pry only at the inner CV joint housing.
4. 4

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect electrical connections from starter motor. Remove starter mounting bolts and extract starter from bellhousing. This provides access to lower transmission-to-engine bolts and flexplate/flywheel.
5. 5

   Support and unbolt transmission crossmember
   Position transmission jack under transmission oil pan with a block of wood to distribute load. Raise jack slightly to take weight off crossmember. Remove transmission mount-to-crossmember bolts, then remove crossmember-to-chassis bolts. Lower and remove crossmember.
   ⚠Ensure transmission jack is centered and stable before removing crossmember bolts.
6. 6

   Remove transmission-to-engine bolts
   Locate and remove all transmission-to-engine bellhousing bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths around the perimeter. Note bolt locations and lengths for proper reinstallation. Ensure engine is properly supported by engine support fixture before removing final bolts.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Separate and remove transmission
   With transmission jack supporting transmission weight, carefully slide transmission straight back away from engine. Ensure transmission input shaft clears clutch disc (manual) or torque converter remains with transmission (automatic). For automatic transmissions, verify torque converter comes out with transmission. Lower transmission on jack and remove from under vehicle.
   ⚠️Keep transmission level during removal to prevent torque converter from sliding out and causing injury or damage.
8. 8

   Remove flexplate or flywheel
   Install flywheel holding tool to prevent crankshaft rotation. For automatic transmissions, remove flexplate bolts in a crisscross pattern. For manual transmissions, remove flywheel bolts in a star pattern. Mark flywheel-to-crankshaft orientation before removal for proper reinstallation. Remove flexplate/flywheel from crankshaft.
   ℹ️Inspect flexplate/flywheel for cracks or heat damage. Replace if any defects are found.
   Torque spec

   Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove rear main seal housing
   Remove all bolts securing the rear main seal housing to engine block. Note bolt locations as some may be different lengths. Carefully pry housing away from block using plastic pry tools at designated pry points. Remove housing and old gasket material from engine block.
   Torque spec

   Rear Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Remove old rear main seal
    Using a seal puller or carefully positioned pry bar, extract the old rear main seal from the housing. Take care not to damage the housing bore or crankshaft surface. Clean all old seal material and RTV from housing and engine block mating surfaces using a plastic scraper. Inspect crankshaft sealing surface for grooves or damage.
    ⚠Do not score or scratch the crankshaft sealing surface or new seal will leak.
11. 11

    Install new rear main seal
    Lightly lubricate new seal lip with clean engine oil. Position seal squarely in housing bore with lip facing inward toward engine. Using rear main seal installation tool or appropriately sized large socket, carefully drive seal into housing until flush with outer surface. Ensure seal is seated evenly around entire circumference.
12. 12

    Install rear main seal housing
    Install new housing gasket or apply thin bead of RTV silicone to housing mating surface per manufacturer specification. Position housing onto engine block, ensuring proper alignment with dowel pins. Install all housing bolts finger-tight, then torque in a crisscross pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Rear Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall flexplate or flywheel
    Clean crankshaft flange and flywheel/flexplate mating surfaces thoroughly. Align flywheel/flexplate to crankshaft using previously made alignment marks. Install bolts and tighten in star pattern to specification. For manual transmissions, verify flywheel bolts are new if TTY type. Use flywheel holding tool to prevent rotation during torquing.
    ⚠Flywheel bolts must be tightened in proper star pattern sequence to prevent warping.
    Torque spec

    Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall transmission
    Position transmission on transmission jack and raise into position. For automatic transmissions, verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission pump (should have 2-3 clicks when pushed in). Align transmission with engine and slide input shaft into pilot bearing/crankshaft. Install all transmission-to-engine bolts in their original locations and torque to specification in a crisscross pattern.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall remaining components
    Install transmission crossmember and torque mounting bolts to specification. Remove transmission jack. Reinstall starter motor and torque mounting bolts. Reconnect axle shafts to transmission and install new axle retaining nuts. Reinstall exhaust front pipe with new gaskets. Reconnect all electrical connectors and shift cable. Install under covers and splash shields.

Reassembly

1. Remove engine support fixture and reinstall front wheels if removed
2. Refill transmission with Toyota WS ATF to proper level per dipstick or fill procedure
3. Refill engine with Toyota Genuine 0W-20 oil to proper level on dipstick
4. Reconnect negative battery terminal
5. Lower vehicle to ground

Verification

• Start engine and verify no oil leaks from rear main seal area while engine idles
• Check transmission fluid level with engine at operating temperature and verify proper level
• Test drive vehicle through all gears to verify proper transmission operation
• Re-check oil and transmission fluid levels after test drive
• Inspect rear main seal area again after test drive for any signs of leakage
• Monitor oil consumption and check for leaks over next 100 miles of driving

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