1991 b2600i 4wd oil pan removal

[gmctrucks]

Can you just remove motor mount bolts and trans bolts and try to jack up engine to see if that gives you enough space to replace gasket?

[junior3382]

the oil pan would go with it, would still have the same perdicament as he is in now. He needs to remove those bolts so he can finish it. Lifting the motor and the trans will simply add to the work load, not help I do not think.

[flourdude]

I have tried vice grips with no luck..

The metal on the bolts is extremely soft and seems to be easily rounded. I guess this is what happens when these have never been messed with after 16 years.

Lifting the engine would allow me to bypass the front axle at least and and at this point I am running out of ideas to be honest.

For those that are interested here are a couple of pics of the now famous bolts..

I only have 160,000 miles on this thing and hope to keep it going at least one more year!

[junior3382]

now see, i was even more consfused then I thought! Those look like the main bolts for the wheel hub assembly! I believe those are reverse(cross) threaded my friend, try turning them the other way! Might work! And now that I know where you are at, lifting the motor might now be a bad idea if those will not budge!


but first, how bad is the leak? I know of a product, I forget what it is called, but added to the oil, it will stop little leaks like that. Run it with it for like 50-50 miles, Then change the oil. So do not add right after an oil change. Might save you some headaches, and keep this truck alive long enough for you to perhaps trade out of it in a year or two..... might be something to try.

[72'CaminoKid]

woah woah woah..... i'm confused, are you trying to take the hubs off? why not just disconnect the front d-shaft, and just unbolt the front axle from the springs/shocks/brake lines/ steering components and remove the entire axle. it seems like you're trying to break the axle down

[gmctrucks]

I'm so confused.

[flourdude]

Originally Posted by 72'CaminoKid

woah woah woah..... i'm confused, are you trying to take the hubs off? why not just disconnect the front d-shaft, and just unbolt the front axle from the springs/shocks/brake lines/ steering components and remove the entire axle. it seems like you're trying to break the axle down

well, I think at this point we all are a little confused, and I am probably more than guilty of that at this point.

Maybe I misread my manuals and Alldata.com, I thought the hub needed to be removed in order to do remove the front differential assembly/axle. I am certainly not a mechanic (as I am sure it is evident) but have been able to do things that I think I can handle successfully most of the time.I also like a challenge and rather do it myself if I can.

Should I be able to do this without removing the free wheel hub assembly? The manuals I have (Chilton, Haynes) seem to differ but maybe I am misreading them.

BTW, is it typical for wheel hub assemblies to be reverse threaded? If so, why? I'm not sure if that is the case in my situation but I am interested in knowing the answer.

Thanks again to all of you for the replies and sorry for the confusion generated by someone like me who is not a pro mechanic!

[junior3382]

You know I was thinking about this, and Camino is right, you should not have to remove the hubs for this..... And I think I added to the confusion here. Anyways, we can start over. LOL....

As for the reverse threading, it is due to the constant rotation of the wheel. Although now I am confused again cuz I think I am thinking of the 4wd hub and the center assembly. So forget that and lets move on.....

I say step back and take another look at this. I would hate to see you post this truck in the classifieds....lol....

[mudseeker]

Originally Posted by flourdude

I am needing to remove the oil pan to put a new gasket on. Most of the books (as well as Alldata) say to remove the front axle etc to do it. Is it easier/faster to just pull the engine and do it that way?

I was going to do it by the book but I am stuck since I cannot get the freewheel hub bolts loose at all and they are getting rounded off

Any suggestions or words of wisdom would help since I am about to bang my head against the wall at this point!

Thanks,

Brad

let's start fresh, what size engine do you have? that will determine the dificulty of this project.
this link will help:
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the engine will need to be supported with an engine hoist or jack stands.

[Chevy_Finatic79]

I still dont konw why you cant just take the motor mounts loose and jack up the motor a couple of inches to clear whatever the pan is catching on? Iv'e done this on a bunch of GM cars and never had to drain any coolant and if your taking off the oil pan you should already have that drained.

I just take a good block of wood put it underneath the harmonic balancer and jack it up after the motor mounts are loose. but I have never had to change an oil pan gasket on a mazda before but it seems to me that in theroy it should work.