Oil Pan Replacement

ftft0101

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Original poster
Joined
Dec 23, 2024
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Palm Beach, Florida
Has anyone here dropped their oil pan without removing the exhaust? My drain plug bolt is stripped and I have no choice but to replace the pan. The bolts that hold the cats to the manifold are crusty and I don't want them to break. I've sprayed them with PB Blaster but I'm hoping that I can avoid moving the exhaust. Any advice is appreciated.
 
Fill out your profile when you can. I’ve got an 04 and that’s a definite no. Gotta pull your exhaust. Not sure on the earlier models. I’ve got two down pipes and I’m thinking the earlier ones have only one down pipe? @macleanflood might know he breaks stuff all the time🧐
 
Fill out your profile when you can. I’ve got an 04 and that’s a definite no. Gotta pull your exhaust. Not sure on the earlier models. I’ve got two down pipes and I’m thinking the earlier ones have only one down pipe? @macleanflood might know he breaks stuff all the time🧐
Ok, I have a 2003 sport with the 4.0
 
You'll definitely need to drop the exhaust, which means you'll need to drop the skid plates. It's not "hard" but there are quite a few steps for disassembly. Do yourself a favor and start PB plastering the manifold studs now. I ordered new nuts, and everything came off and went back on. Unfortunately, I think I have to redo mine, as I think I messed up and smeared some RTV on the oil pan corner and now I have a leak. I'm not defeated, it's more like a long siggghhhh type of repair.
 
I replaced my entire exhaust system with a premade kit including catalytic converters. It wasn't hard. Bolted it together with stainless clamps. No welding. Made it really easy to put together....and will be very easy to disassemble at some point in the future. I used all new bolts and I recommend using new spring nuts. I also put anti seize on every bolt. I did drill a small hole in the rear of the new muffler to ensure condensation drains out.
 
You'll definitely need to drop the exhaust, which means you'll need to drop the skid plates. It's not "hard" but there are quite a few steps for disassembly. Do yourself a favor and start PB plastering the manifold studs now. I ordered new nuts, and everything came off and went back on. Unfortunately, I think I have to redo mine, as I think I messed up and smeared some RTV on the oil pan corner and now I have a leak. I'm not defeated, it's more like a long siggghhhh type of repair.

Is it possible to take the exhaust out of the rear hanger just to drop it a little bit all as one piece? I just want to move it down and not take it out of the car
 
Suck it up. You gotta pull the exhaust. 🤣
Here’s a tip. I think there are thirteen bolts holding the drivers fender on. Pull the fender off to give better access to the bolts. Bring it to snowy Tennessee I’ll help you. Just bring some warm sunny Florida with you!!
 
Suck it up. You gotta pull the exhaust. 🤣
Here’s a tip. I think there are thirteen bolts holding the drivers fender on. Pull the fender off to give better access to the bolts. Bring it to snowy Tennessee I’ll help you. Just bring some warm sunny Florida with you!!

more steps until i can drive the car again:cry:
 
I just did a RMS on mine, which required dropping the oil pan. Granted, I already had the skidplate off, but I literally took the 4 header bolds off with my mini impact wrench and 5 mins later the front exhaust was sitting on the floor, pivoting on the rear hanger, with the rear still connected to the Jeep.

Your results may vary with lift height, and tire size, but was a non-issue for me. FWIW, new bolts for the exhaust can be had at a local hardware store for a few bucks.

My $0.02.
 
I just did a RMS on mine, which required dropping the oil pan. Granted, I already had the skidplate off, but I literally took the 4 header bolds off with my mini impact wrench and 5 mins later the front exhaust was sitting on the floor, pivoting on the rear hanger, with the rear still connected to the Jeep.

Your results may vary with lift height, and tire size, but was a non-issue for me. FWIW, new bolts for the exhaust can be had at a local hardware store for a few bucks.

My $0.02.

(y)
 
Add a V band clamp just in front of the skid plate.

End of my video you'll see me pulling my oil pan in a parking lot by the beach to beat the tick out.



-Mac
 
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Add a V band clamp just in front of the skid plate.

End of my video you'll see me pulling my oil pan in a parking lot by the beach to beat the tick out.



-Mac


Thanks for the idea. I just got back from trying to unbolt the cats and one of the bolts is seized. Also, one of the two downstream 02 sensors also won't unplug. This is definitely demoralizing but I'll figure something out tomorrow.
 
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Heat. Lots of it. And penetrating oil. When I did my neighbor's 04 WJ's head gasket I spent more time on the exhaust then the head gasket.

-Mac
 
Is it possible to take the exhaust out of the rear hanger just to drop it a little bit all as one piece? I just want to move it down and not take it out of the car

Easy to unbolt the 2 (stock) rear hangers, but the transmission one might be tricky.