When I put a new crankshaft seal and new clutch in my '85 I replaced the
transmission mainshaft seal (it was hard) as well as the clutch fork
bushings and starter bushing ... just because I was in there.

I'd say it depends on just how hard your seal has gotten as to whether a
seal conditioner will work or not.  That stuff certainly did nothing for
my crankshaft seal which was more like plastic than rubber.

Mike

Jim Felder wrote:
> After having a dry garage floor for a number of years, a tiny--one
> drop per day--spot is showing up under my 2.1's transmission. I
> recognize the grease as the clear Amzoil I use in the transmission.
> It isn't engine oil. I replaced the axle seals last summer, and it
> doesn't appear to be leaking from either of them.
>
> I had a leaking rear engine seal in 2003 and had the clutch and front
> transmission seal replaced then, so the one that's in there isn't
> that old. The transmission, with 215000 on it, has never been opened
> but it shifts well and runs quietly. Should I presume that if the
> seal is wearing out, that whatever transmission parts keep the shaft
> from bouncing around are having problems and thus are causing the
> seal to fail, or should I just replace the seal and not worry about
> the condition of the transmission?
>
> I put a seal softener in my wife's Acura when it leaked and that
> worked, likewise with my mom's Buick. But those are both automatics.
> Is there any reason to believe it would help my Vanagon's manual
> transmission, or any reason to avoid it?
>
> Jim
>