03 Ram 2500 Hemi Front Main seal. Is my Mechanic full of *#$%?

[scribbleheli]

After having a leaky front seal for months, My dad finally convinced me to bring it to the mechanic he has been using for the last couple decades. And I get the impression hes jerking me about.

I did tons of research on the subject, watched DIYs, read the forms. And was convinced with my mechanical aptitude I could rent the tools and change out the front seal my self. If I had the time...

My dad just called me and said that its gonna be around 500$ (not the 300 quoted) because the front seal has to come from the dealer, and comes as a set with a new harmonic balancer.

Is this BS? Nothing in the last few months of research lead me to believe that to be true.

 

[Bullitt5339]

You're talking about the seal behind the balancer? If that's the case, you can get that seal from rockauto for about $7.

 

[scribbleheli]

Yes, the main seal on the timing cover behind the balancer.
Hes telling me that they are a "new design that has to be used together"