So I'm thinking just remove the 4 bolts on the crossmember and pull the oil pan down through the gap. I've heard people say to remove the idler arm, but it looks like I'd have to remove the relay rod at both ends where it connects to the tie rods, not to mention the steering damper. These are the times I wish I had a 1/2" impact wrench!!

 

just pull the motor its pretty easy that way.

 

unbolt engine mounts, jack it up, dislink a few steering rods.. be careful and also, do as few as possible, drain the thing, unbolt pan, unbolt oil pickup tube, remove and slide around and have fun trying.


only wrong thing is that.. have fun putting the oil pickup tube back at teh same time with the oil pan and trying not to get FIPG on stuff...




dont try my method unless you're desperate.












I say borrow an impact wrench and take off tha cross member



or pull motor and have fun with everything and get it all over with

 

1. Remove crossmember. You don't need an impact gun btw....

2. Unbolt the steering stabilizer from the frame.

3. Unbolt the idler arm "assembly" from the frame. You don't have to remove any of the joints, tie rods and what not. It (steering assy) will drop down and slide forward giving you more than enough room to drop the pan...

**Make some marks on the idler assy and frame so it goes back exactly how it came off... It will lessen the chances of your alignment being off...**

 

thanks guys for all your replys. I ended up removing the crossmember (you were right BYE about not needing an impact, just some heat and pb blast did the trick) and jacking up the engine after removing the mounts. I found that to be the most straightforward method. the hardest part was actually prying off the pan from the block. the gasket had it really sealed tight. I ended up inserting a screwdriver in each side from the front of the engine, between the gasket and the pan then prying down on both screwdrivers to wrench it free.

 

CIN, you make things incredibly difficult. If your going to jack the motor up why bother removing the steering ? and if your gunna remove the steering why bother jacking it up ??? also why so many spaces man ?? your post is soo longgggg but has maybe 5 complete sentences. just bustin ur balls man...

deff the easiest way... I wish I woulda called you wayyy before I tried squeezing mine out without doing that lol