To remove the oil pan, first disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery and remove the engine oil dipstick. Apply the parking brake, block the rear wheels, raise the front of the vehicle securely on jackstands, and remove the engine middle splash shield. Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter. Next, remove the intermediate shaft coupler at the steering gear and separate the steering gear input shaft from the coupler. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch and remove the power steering gear mounting bolts, then remove the power steering fluid line bracket and position the power steering gear off to the side. Detach any clips securing the transmission oil cooler lines that would interfere with the oil pan removal, and also remove the lower bolt securing the air conditioning compressor to the oil pan and the bolt securing the alternator bracket to the oil pan. Remove the bolts and nuts, then carefully separate the oil pan from the block, prying at the casting protrusion at the front of the pan to avoid damaging the sealing surfaces. For installation, clean the pan with solvent, removing all old sealant and gasket material from the block and pan mating surfaces, and ensure the bolt holes in the block are clear. Apply a bead of RTV sealant to the oil pan rail parting lines and install the gasket on the block. Place the oil pan in position on the block and install the nuts/bolts, tightening them in a criss-cross pattern to the specified torque in three steps. Position the transmission-to-oil pan support brace and install the support brace-to-oil pan bolts, torquing them to 10 in-lbs, followed by the support brace-to-transmission bolts at 40 ft-lbs, then re-torque the support brace-to-oil pan bolts to 40 ft-lbs. Install the power steering gear, and complete the remaining steps in reverse order of removal. Finally, refill the engine with oil, replace the filter, run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature, and check for leaks.
