Replaced Engine rear seal, Did I goof?

[94aero]

I replaced the rear main seal on my 97 rt, but BMW changed the thickness of the seal from 10mm down to 7mm. When I reinstalled the new one I bottemed out the seal, so now it is riding 3mm behind were it rode before. Did I need to leave it flush with the housing as like the 10mm one?

[billpierce]

They have to be the exact width. The problem is the spacing has to be exact as the crank case breathing is involved.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/r1100srearmainseal2.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/r1100srearmainseal.jpg

The inner seal has to be formed by hand an then use a cut down yogurt cup to slide it over the crank. I sits all the way back as the drawing shows.

For the outer I made a tool on the lathe, or you can buy one from BMW for lots of money.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/IMG_0375.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/IMG_0371.jpg

[94aero]

Bill, My rt only had one seal.

[billpierce]

Bill, My rt only had one seal.

Here is the drawing of your rt crank. (96-00) It shows 2 seals. The back one sits deep in the hole and is easy to miss.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/r1100rt96-00.gif

[henzilla]

They "upgraded" to two seals on the 1100's. Our '95 had only one and another early model '96 only had one. You get two when you order now.

I used the top off a spray paint can for my "special inner seal tool"..the opening fit right over the crankshaft end...the outer tool was machined by my neighbor, the first time I had a large socket the same size that worked fine as well

[94aero]

Steve,
My machined hole for the seal is all one size, no step up for the smaller seal. Should I just use one #6 or install two of them?

[henzilla]

Steve,
My machined hole for the seal is all one size, no step up for the smaller seal. Should I just use one #6 or install two of them?

They gave me two that were same OD, one was a bit thinner it seems. The bore was all same size and both fit snug and flush with casing as the old single did.

Looking at that parts fiche it seems the thinner one is the inner seal by the description dimensions for # 6 & 7 , I know I kept checking the first one I popped in against the fiche picture

[AntonLargiader]

Here is the drawing of your rt crank. (96-00) It shows 2 seals. The back one sits deep in the hole and is easy to miss.

Can't you see on that diagram that the second seal only applies to 12/97 onward, and that a different crank is involved?