A tissue puncture closure device for partial insertion into and sealing of an internal tissue wall puncture, comprising: a filament extending from a first end of the closure device to a second end of the closure device; an anchor for insertion through the tissue wall puncture attached to the filament at the second end of the closure device; a sealing pad slidingly attached to the filament at the second end of the closure device; a housing positioned at the first end of the closure device; an automatic driving mechanism comprising: a compaction member; at least one slide member at the first end of the closure device, the at least one slide member includes a first slide positioned in and movable relative to the housing; a filament spool with a portion of the filament wound thereon, the filament spool being carried by the first slide; a biasing member carried by the at least one slide member and operable to distally advance the compaction member for automatically compacting the sealing pad toward the anchor upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture; and at least first and second automatic release members (254, 240) operable upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture, the first automatic release member operable to release the biasing member to distally advance the compaction member, and the second automatic release member operable to release the first slide to move between first and second positions relative to the housing. a filament extending from a first end of the closure device to a second end of the closure device; an anchor for insertion through the tissue wall puncture attached to the filament at the second end of the closure device; a sealing pad slidingly attached to the filament at the second end of the closure device; a housing positioned at the first end of the closure device; an automatic driving mechanism comprising: a compaction member; at least one slide member at the first end of the closure device, the at least one slide member includes a first slide positioned in and movable relative to the housing; a filament spool with a portion of the filament wound thereon, the filament spool being carried by the first slide; a biasing member carried by the at least one slide member and operable to distally advance the compaction member for automatically compacting the sealing pad toward the anchor upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture; and at least first and second automatic release members (254, 240) operable upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture, the first automatic release member operable to release the biasing member to distally advance the compaction member, and the second automatic release member operable to release the first slide to move between first and second positions relative to the housing. a compaction member; at least one slide member at the first end of the closure device, the at least one slide member includes a first slide positioned in and movable relative to the housing; a filament spool with a portion of the filament wound thereon, the filament spool being carried by the first slide; a biasing member carried by the at least one slide member and operable to distally advance the compaction member for automatically compacting the sealing pad toward the anchor upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture; and at least first and second automatic release members (254, 240) operable upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture, the first automatic release member operable to release the biasing member to distally advance the compaction member, and the second automatic release member operable to release the first slide to move between first and second positions relative to the housing.