Oil pan replacement question

[opfor2]

Well, I’m about to tackle this job here soon and I have a few questions. Back story, this is a 2011, 4x4 Tahoe SSV with about 147000 miles in the clock with over 7k of engine hours for this was a former Boarder Patrol SSV. I have been dealing with low oil pressure 35psi when cold and 23 psi during “hot idle” also, one of the bolt threads that secures the external oil cooler line is messed up and it wont properly secure and I figured it’s just easer to replace the pan itself. Needless to say, I also have a significant oil pan leak. I’m also replacing the oil pick up tube “O-ring” to help with the oil pressure.



I have watched numerus YouTube videos on this subject and some people remove the front 4x4 differential and others do not. What have you guys done? Removed the differential or just loosened it?



Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[lspann3525]

You can usually unbolt the front diff mount bolts/ do not completely remove them allow the diff to hang and remove the rack and pinion mount bolts and cv axle hub bolts and that will give you enough room to remove the old pan.

Be mindful it is easy to accidentally crossthread one of the oil pan bolts with the diff in the way.

Ive also removed the front diff to do it as well...the only hard about it reinstalling it..you have to have the front diff yoke pointed up then jack/lift the diff up then flip it down onto the frame

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you still have AFM on your truck, replace the oil pressure relief valve and install a deflector on the valve, while you are doing it. These valves use a spring that gets weak over time, and starts flowing oil out of it, well below the design 60 psi threshold. If your motor no longer has AFM, remove the oil pressure relief valve and install an aftermarket delete plug.

 

[solli5pack]

I removed the front diff when I did mine. Its a little heavy and awkwardly shaped so gonna need to use a jack or small lift to remove and install it. I always go the extra mile removing stuff if it create more room to work. Not a fan of working in tight spots.

 

[opfor2]

I removed the front diff when I did mine. Its a little heavy and awkwardly shaped so gonna need to use a jack or small lift to remove and install it. I always go the extra mile removing stuff if it create more room to work. Not a fan of working in tight spots.

unfortunatly I don't have a vehicle lift and will have to jack up the truck with jack stands. I guess I will try and use my floor jack to reinstall the front diff.

 

[strutaeng]

No additional pointers, but 23 psi at hot idle I don't think is a problem. Our 2020 Express van L96 idles around 25 psi and only has like 26k miles.

But considering the age, mileage and hours, the pickup tube o-ring is still a good idea.

When I did a DIY rebuild on my 06 suburban LQ4 2 years ago, the oring on that one was somewhat brittle. When I squeezed it in the middle, it fractured. Engine had 265k.

 

[donjetman]

I always drop the front diff
and use a floor jack to reinstall