Crazy Cowboy

I need to take the oil pan off my LS7. Is dropping the cradle a feasible operation on the ground with jackstands? Seems easier than lifting the engine. If you've done it or know where to find a walk-through on it please let me know?

subfloor@centurytrans

I've done it several times and it's a pretty straightforward process. I can either email you the details tomorrow or send you my phone number if you'd like.

J Christensen

Hey, share the details here. (YIKIABP)

subfloor@centurytrans

• disconnect the battery
• remove your hood (not required but makes it easier to hook up the engine hoist)
• loosen the front wheels
• remove the air intake
• put the front of the car up on jackstands
• remove the front wheels
• on either side of the car jack up the bottom of the lower control arm as high as it'll go before the car starts to lift off the jackstand
• remove the two lower shock bolts (13mm)
• remove the 4 bolts connecting the upper control arm to the frame (15mm) making sure you don't lose the shims
• repeat the last 3 steps on the other side
• connect an engine hoist to at least two places on the motor (I usually pull out the top bolt of the alternator bracket and the front most exhaust bolt on the passenger side)
• carefully raise up the engine just enough so that the whole car starts to come up (this is to keep the motor suspended when you drop the cradle)
• remove the 2 motor mount bolts holding them to the cradle
• position a transmission jack squarely under the cradle and raise it up just until it starts to lift up
• remove the 11mm bolt holding the steering column to the power steering pump (the easiest way is to come at it from up top with a long extension)
• slide the column back away from the pump
• remove the four 21mm cradle bolts
• SLOWLY lower the transmission jack and the cradle should come with it (sometimes you have to wiggle it loose but anything more than a moderate amount of effort usually means you forgot to disconnect something)

Daviddear30

Wow
I really hope I never need to do that but thanks for the great instructions!!

Crazy Cowboy

Brake lines an issue?

Crazy Cowboy

Btw THANKS for all your help and sharing. Think it can be done on the floor (meaning on on a lift?)

subfloor@centurytrans

I've never had any.

subfloor@centurytrans

No problem.

I've only ever done it on the floor so I'm not sure how you'd go about doing it with a lift to be honest.

Crazy Cowboy

Well. If I have time this coming week I'm gonna change the oil pan gasket and fix this leak. Aggravating amount of work for a damn gasket but it's got to be done. The car is running awesome too.....

Just putting a brand new OEM HUD windshield in right now. Had a little bit of sandblasting from 60k miles. Like a new car now with new windshield and headlight lenses almost gonna hate selling it for a C7 Z.

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

I've pulled the entire drivetrain out of the car in the grass at a race track.


Just make sure you use quality stands, and make sure the car is supported and balanced so it won't fall or shift when you start pulling items out. SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY.

cclive

Wow....that's impressive!

Crazy Cowboy

That would be a sight to see lol

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

With a street car, there are only a couple things I would watch out for...other than supporting the car, and supporting the engine of course.

If you are removing the entire cradle from the car, the rack is going to have to come out as well. Make sure no one turns the steering shaft with the rack not attached. Few little brake line hold down tabs and some bolt on tabs you have to remove just make sure they all go back in the same spots.

Crazy Cowboy

Thanks Anthony.