2011 Tahoe 4x4 oil pan replacement question

[opfor2]

I have a 2011 Tahoe 4x4, which is going to have to have the stock oil pan replaced due to one of the oil cooler bracket bolt holes being “stripped” and causing a significant oil leak. I’m going to buy an new OEM oil pan from Rock Auto (GM GENUINE 12640746) my question is what am I in for? Does anyone have any tips or a YouTube video to review?



Thanks, in advance

 

[swathdiver]

I have a 2011 Tahoe 4x4, which is going to have to have the stock oil pan replaced due to one of the oil cooler bracket bolt holes being “stripped” and causing a significant oil leak. I’m going to buy an new OEM oil pan from Rock Auto (GM GENUINE 12640746) my question is what am I in for? Does anyone have any tips or a YouTube video to review?



Thanks, in advance

While it takes a little more work, some of the guys on here have pulled the front differential and crossmember to make more rooom.

Why don't you just use a heli-coil instead of replacing the pan? It'll be stronger than new once repaired.

 

[opfor2]

While it takes a little more work, some of the guys on here have pulled the front differential and crossmember to make more rooom.

Why don't you just use a heli-coil instead of replacing the pan? It'll be stronger than new once repaired.

I would like to but I still am going to have to drop the front Dif to get proper access to the bolt holes didn't I??

 

[swathdiver]

I would like to but I still am going to have to drop the front Dif to get proper access to the bolt holes didn't I??

I would think that removing the driveshaft would provide enough clearance to do the work but I can't seem to picture it in my head anymore. On the other hand, at this age, it might just be wise to replace the pan and gasket.

Don did an excellent write up some time back and maybe you can glean some nuggets from these posts:

Engine Oil Pan Gasket Change 6.2 Yukon L92

Got the oil pan off today. The stabilizer bar was already off. It was removed as part of the rear main engine seal job that I'm doing too. Remove the cross member (4 bolts) that's under the pan. The 4 steering rack bolts need to be removed. Both axle shaft bolts(6 ea) need to be removed. The 4...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[opfor2]

While it takes a little more work, some of the guys on here have pulled the front differential and crossmember to make more rooom.

Why don't you just use a heli-coil instead of replacing the pan? It'll be stronger than new once repaired.

I guess my main issue is that I have never used a Helicoil and I'm just very apprehensive that I'm going to mess it up.

 

[Geotrash]

I guess my main issue is that I have never used a Helicoil and I'm just very apprehensive that I'm going to mess it up.

Worst case you mess it up and have to replace the pan, which you're about to do anyway.

I stripped out one of those same bolts on my 2012 and was able to get a helicoil in there. I used a flexible shaft for my drill and a 1/4" shank drill bit to fit in the chuck of the flexible shaft. The threads for those bolts are M6-1. Didn't have to drop the diff, steering rack, exhaust or anything else and it worked great, even if a bit of a PITA with limited room to work. It was only my second time using a helicoil and the previous time was 20 years before that so I wouldn't call myself an expert with them. But it only took me 20 minutes or so and was way easier than dropping the whole oil pan.

 

[opfor2]

Worst case you mess it up and have to replace the pan, which you're about to do anyway.

I stripped out one of those same bolts on my 2012 and was able to get a helicoil in there. I used a flexible shaft for my drill and a 1/4" shank drill bit to fit in the chuck of the flexible shaft. The threads for those bolts are M6-1. Didn't have to drop the diff, steering rack, exhaust or anything else and it worked great, even if a bit of a PITA with limited room to work. It was only my second time using a helicoil and the previous time was 20 years before that so I wouldn't call myself an expert with them. But it only took me 20 minutes or so and was way easier than dropping the whole oil pan.

Hmmm, ok thanks for the information...

 

[opfor2]

Worst case you mess it up and have to replace the pan, which you're about to do anyway.

I stripped out one of those same bolts on my 2012 and was able to get a helicoil in there. I used a flexible shaft for my drill and a 1/4" shank drill bit to fit in the chuck of the flexible shaft. The threads for those bolts are M6-1. Didn't have to drop the diff, steering rack, exhaust or anything else and it worked great, even if a bit of a PITA with limited room to work. It was only my second time using a helicoil and the previous time was 20 years before that so I wouldn't call myself an expert with them. But it only took me 20 minutes or so and was way easier than dropping the whole oil pan.

So this is the correct kit to use?

https://www.amazon.com/Heli-Coil-Helicoil-5546-6-Metric-Coarse/dp/B0002KKPXK/ref=asc_df_B0002KKPXK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312230629879&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17411993281824412213&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030763&hvtargid=pla-487635401967&psc=1

 

[Geotrash]

So this is the correct kit to use?

https://www.amazon.com/Heli-Coil-Helicoil-5546-6-Metric-Coarse/dp/B0002KKPXK/ref=asc_df_B0002KKPXK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312230629879&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17411993281824412213&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030763&hvtargid=pla-487635401967&psc=1

That's the one! Although I think I paid significantly less at either Autozone or the local hardware store.

 

[opfor2]

That's the one! Although I think I paid significantly less at either Autozone or the local hardware store.

And is this the flexible drill shaft your talking about?

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWARAFS-Right-Angle-Shaft/dp/B013UBXU3E/ref=asc_df_B013UBXU3E/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309735728871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6918633406160900019&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030763&hvtargid=pla-432410172906&th=1&psc=1