Hello
I am currently in the middle of doing a clutch job on my 91. While I'm at it I figured I'll replace the rear main seal as well. I did do some online research before I started. And most of the videos and forums I've found show the rear main seal pretty much flush with the outside of the housing facing back of flywheel. But as I was putting the seal and housing back on I noticed the seal had slid back or inward on the crank toward engine about a 16th of an inch. It's not completely flush with the outside of the housing. So I took it off and slid the seal back out so it was flush again. But when I slide the seal around the crank it always seems to want to slide inward to the same exact spot almost. Is this just how the seal sits in the housing and on the crank after everything is tightened down? It looks pretty even all the way around. Maybe I'm just being paranoid but it's my first time doing this so I'm a little unsure. Thanks

 

The depth might not be an issue assuming they came in different thicknesses like the front seal, someone else might be able to confirm that. BUT! It shouldn't move freely in the housing, that indicates it's the wrong diameter.

Sounds to me you got a bad/wrong part.

 

As long as it's tight in the seal housing and it's not in crooked then it'll be fine. The in/out position isn't really important. In fact, having it in a different spot than before means the seal lip is on a fresh part of the crank not on the worn part of the crank which may have a groove.

 

I should clarify...

Do the late models come with a thinner seal like the front seal?

 

What seal did you get? http://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TO...031180010.html says (if I read it correctly) that 90311-80010 fits every model 4Runner from '84 to '95