How do I go about getting this crossmember down. I need to pull my.pan off but I cant with out jacking up my engine or take apart my front end. Any body with experience? I know I may mess up the alighnment but I have no special tools just a Jack and some air tools etc. But the idea of loosening the motor mounts and lifting/jacking my engine up just doesnt sound appealing to me . BTW I've already tried to get it out once. Lowered my diff . Etc ....... It ain't happening . All opinions will be appreciated

 

Check the oil pressure sending unit. It's located on top of the engine immediately behind the intake manifold. Those regularly fail and they can leak a lot of oil.

 

the guy above may be right: but let's assume it's the rear main seal, the "wax rope".

using a screw-type vertical jack is NOT allowed for that job in "a pro shop". they aren't rated for the load that would be placed on it.

you NEVER use a hydraulic jack to lift heavy things and get under the car. never.

if you have a "slow seep" on the rear main seal - well that's very common (leakless cars weren't invented until the 2000's and trucks came along late implementing it).

wipe if off. see if it stays clean long enough that you can just wipe if once in a while. may stay like that for decades without getting worse.

So you can either raise the engine and trans or remove the frame member. you must study correctly - there is no forgiveness it's your life on the line, what weights will fall down when bolts are removed. because it's suspension and can cause highway deaths you must be 100% sure you can re-assemble it with highway quality service.

You can't use a "jack stand" or hydraulic jack (except temporarily). You cannot use wooden blocks since they can suddenly collapse under weight.

Your options left: are to get it right the first time. You cannot rest the weight on anything that cannot take the weight or could fall on you. it must be something that can't move, won't sink in the soil (if you do the job on soil). that, if the truck moves - will not let the truck "fall off".

Usually - the advice in a shop would be you "set the rack on the main frame rails - where the chevy maintenance manual says to set the lift arms" - and to insure if the truck "bounces" that it cannot fall of the rails.

 

(let's say you support the frame weight. surprise - when you remove bolts you may be under suspension spring pressure. please be careful and sure of every move you make)