Does anybody know if i have to raise the engine in order to get an oil pan off of a 99 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0l V6 4X4

 

I have posted the following on another thread. I fought with this for a long time before coming to a counter-intuitive approach. I actually read this solution on another website, but can't remember the details enough to give due credit to the original poster. Just to emphasize -- this may seem COUNTER-intuitive -- but it worked for me and for others.

1. Support the Jeep by the frame on jackstands.

2. Prepare the oil pan for removal by removing all of the many bolts holding it to the block.

3. THIS IS THE KEY. Put a jack under the front differential and RAISE the axle a few inches. It will still be drooping, but it will be drooping less. It should easily clear all of the stearing linkage and come out easily.

Why do you RAISE the axle? When the axle droops, it does not fall straight down. It falls in an arc. So, when it moves down, it also moves backward. When you jack the axle a little, it raises up and it seems counter-intuitive. However, it will also move the axle FORWARD and give you enough room to clear the linkage.

I hope that you try it and let us know how it works.

 

So i need to jack the frame up and support in on stands, then take the jack and lift the front diff?

 

Best spot is on the Unibody behind the control arms. I let my axle hang all the way down. There is a sweet spot where it will just slide on out from there you just have to find it. More less just wiggle it around in there and it will slid out from the rear.

Pick you up a new Rear main seal while you have the Oil Pan off.

 

Yes -- as a previous poster said, support it with jackstands under the frame rail -- right behind control arms so that the axle can droop as much as possible. Still -- after working for a couple of hours -- I have never found a sweet spot. I know a lot of people who have completely disassembled steering linkages and other stuff to get it out. After lifting the front diff a few inches -- mine practically fell to the floor. OK -- maybe that is exaggerating a little, but not much.

 

It was simple I even had to slide it in and out several times once I put the High volume oil pump on it to mock it up and see if it would fit. I have no sway bar maybe that is holding your axle up still a lil and not letting it go full hang.