Thanks a ton for the info. I downloaded all the TMs and just read through the replacement instructions. The leak has gone on for long enough that there is quite a bit of oil blown all around underneath. Any advice on cleaning that before I get started? I was going to spray an engine cleaner down there and let it soak and then run it through the car wash. Unfortunately, since I live in Fairbanks, AK, all of the "do it yourself" carwashes are closed for the season.
Yeah...you're going to get filthy when you first start out on this thing.
I usually spray my driveway down with water, and use my pressure washer, but I imagine right now in Fairbanks if you try to use a pressure washer you're going to be shooting ice out the end (which is sometimes cool).
The rear main seal was the first thing I think I did when I got mine. I specifically bought 2 sets of Dickies blues and some Borax because I knew it would be ugly. I also bought a bunch of shop rags. I've used the hell out of those blues, and they have been covered in oil and hydraulic fluid.
Get one of these if you can swing it so you can turn the flexplate to get the top half of the seal in and make the job easier.
Amazon.com: DEF Flywheel Turner Wrench Turning Tool : Automotive
Make sure you have a torque wrench.
Make sure you have the seal for the pan.
Make sure you have assembly lube for the bearing (and that you put it back on the way it came off).
I used a wire wheel to clean the leftover gasket off my pan.
I used Acetone to get it off the block.
You're going to come out of there looking like a struck match.
Get some Gojo hand cleaner. In a pinch you can use olive oil or vegetable oil to get the Diesel oil off pretty good, or a handfull of Borax.
As
@cucvrus said, pull stuff off and clean it up as you go. I don't know if they salt and slag the roads there, but if they do, having your undercarriage coated in oil isn't the worse thing in the world until spring.