Do I need to replace this seal?

[Matt Timion]

I was replacing my throwout bearing today and I noticed that a rubber seal on my transmission looks a little eaten up. here is a picture:

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/seal.th.jpg (http://images6.theimagehosting.com/seal.jpg)

Hopefully the picture is okay enough for you to see the damage. I believe this is where the axles attach to the transmission.

Should I replace this seal, or is ti good? Should I just replace it because it's cheap and easy to do?

BTW, replacing the throwout bearing was probably the easiest thing I've done on my car so far.

[n0rt0npr0]

That seal keeps crap from the outside getting in, so long as it hasn't shrunk (and I can't see why it would have) don't replace it. On the other hand, if you plan on keeping that tranny for another 8 years or 150,000 miles I'd get new ones.
Just make sure there aren't any rough spots or rusty spots on your axles when you pop them in there. Use 600grit sandpaper to remove any of those spots if they exist. Then put some light oil on the shaft that will contact that seal, unless you go with new seals, then leave the shaft dry so the seal has a chance to break-in properly.

[Matt Timion]

A guy on honda-tech says to replace it while it's out so I have one less thing to worry about.

Heh... these two seals and the throwout bearing will end up costing more than the transmission did (excluding shipping, of course).

Honda transmission experts:

Is this one seal, or two? I'm thinking it's #10 on this picture:

http://estore.honda.com/images/parts/catalogs/EA/13SH201/Estore/illustrations2/SH23M0200.png

Honda.com says:

OIL SEAL (35X62X8) Part Number# 91206-PL3-A01

[Matt Timion]

Just realized there are two oil seals... I need to go check the transmission now... here is the other one:

http://estore.honda.com/images/parts/catalogs/EA/13SH201/Estore/illustrations2/SH23M0100.png

It's part # 18

OIL SEAL (35X56X8) Part Number# 91205-PL3-A01

Should I just get both of them?

[molecule]

if you want to replace both then buy both...
#18 is the driver side = the one in your picture

[DaX]

Yep, one seal for each axle. Personally, I'd replace them both while the tranny is out, but it isn't terrible to replace with the tranny in, other than re-pulling the axles.

You could replace them now, or you could chance it and not have to replace them or you'll have to replace them while in the car.

If you have a bad axle laying around, you can cut off part of the part that sticks into the tranny with the splines and use it as an axle seal driver. I have one and have used it a few times.

[Sludgy]

There's nothing worse than a blown seal, said the Eskimo.

[Bunger]

There's nothing worse than a blown seal, said the Eskimo.

I thought it was, "There's nothing worse than BLOWING a seal" =)

(I am assuming Sludgy told it incorrectly on purpose...) =)

[Compaq888]

blown seals suck, doesn't matter what part they are on.

[molecule]

blown seals suck

is that like a 69 ... ???
sorry...it was just begging there...