Cadillac Repair: Main Seal, engine oil pan, seville sls

Question
QUESTION: I have a 97 Seville SLS and the rear main seal is leaking. my driveway is a mess.
I would like to fix this myself. is removing the engine the only way to get to this? and if so is there anything that I should watch out for?
I have some experience in removing and replacing motors in other vehicles only to be taken to the School of hard knocks. and some one always saying I should have watched out for that.

Thanks Steve!

ANSWER: You pull the TRANSMISSION, NOT the engine.

What appears to be a main seal leak may actually be a leak between the main bearing surface and the engine block.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The Guy that traded the car in stated that the Cadillac dealership told him that it was the rear Main seal and wanted $1500 to change it.
so pulling the tranny is easier than pulling the engine?
Is there anything that I need to watch out for?

Thanks Steve!

Answer
Pull the trans. It's easier.

Pull the engine oil pan and As long as your there and if you have high mileage on the vehicle, I would suggest that you replace the oil pump with a HIGH VOLUME OUTPUT pump.

Just don't foget about a possible leak at the rear main bearing surface where it meets the engine block. Put some silicone or other sealant on the outer edges of the main bearing cap which will require removal of the cap.