6 hours labor to replace oil pan gasket????

I think if you use a union-joint type of socket adapter (like this), like I did once on a friend's VW, you can reach all the bolts without taking the front diff off. correct me if wrong.

 

You probably could but the diff still has to come out to change the oil pan gasket.

To the OP 6 hrs sounds about right, maybe an hr high but if your not happy with it look somewhere else or do it yourself. Could always take it to the dealer and have them look at it and quote it, they may not be as high.

 

yeah i am sure you are right, but good luck scraping off all the old gasket properly so it doesnt leak again, and good luck putting on new gasket maker properly without removing the fornt diff....

 

Not sure if i was meant to be quoted on that or not

 

If your not mechanically inclined to do it your self and if your tech gave you advice as to make sure the leak is where they think it's coming from then just pony up and pay the $$$ to get it done, provided they are your regular shop and you trust them, there's no reason you should doubt them, shit takes time to do, it's not just the time but the tools/lift/shop/experience that it takes to do the job, your always gonna have someone that says "I could do that in half the time" or "you should do that yourself to save money" truth is some people's time is worth more than the money to lay in your driveway for a weekend trying to save a few bucks, it sounds to me like they're a reputable shop and 6hrs seems fair if you gotta drop the front diff, just get it done if need be and get on with your life

 

Drop the diff, trust me. Raise vehicle and support on jack stands. Remove wheels, unbolt lower ball joints and pop the cv's loose from the diff and support them out of the way. Unbolt the drive shaft and place floor jack under the diff and remove the support bolts. Then you have clear and easy access to the pan. You will need it to keep from screwing up the sealant applied to the pan trying to force it in around the diff and stuff. This can lead to a leak worse than you have now. If you have access to air tools the job goes quicker. It's not a hard job just time consuming and an extra pair of hands is always helpful.

 

See...

Easy right?

 

He sure does make it seem easy.

 

I'm going to install a new locking front diff, repair the oil pan gasket, install new front passenger wheel bearing this weekend. I'll try and remember to take some pics.

 

Mine is leaking on my 2.7l. I had swapped to full synthetic when the leak developed. I went back to Dino and its slowed over a few oil changes. I bought a parts house cork gasket because I didn't want to drop the front diff. I figured I could snake it around the oil sump and put it in place. But I never have gotten around to it. And may not since the gasket looks like poo sitting on my garage shelf. I don't think it'd last as long as doing it proper with sealant vs. saving some time and money.

 

What makes it exciting is is clearing the pick up tube .

Ok I could see about 6 hours coming out of a Flat rate book.

Don`t trust a mechanic So I should not Trust myself this could get complicated

 

No way you'll get the pan off or out with the diff in. With the diff removed, you unbolt the pan and tap it with a rubber mallet it will come loose. When it drops down, the back of the pan has to be turned to the passenger side to allow the front to have enough room to drop out. It will not just drop straight down. Clean off all the old gasket maker from the pan and block, clean both good with brake parts cleaner(or acetone). Reapply new sealant, install it reverse order and torque bolts to spec.

 

25 years working on cars' if the book says 6 hours it says that for a reason. dropping oil pans are no fun cant stand doing them. it is not cheep i do have to agree with that.
but you looking at a lot of work unless you can cheat somehow witch i try to find any way i can to do so lol.
but any garage is going to go by the book
But the shop is going buy the book no matter how long it takes.
i know for a 45 dollar gasket sucks. not cheep!!! with out a lift o my god!!!!
best of luck with your repair....

 

did you make that account just to reply to a 6 year old post?

 

I think it could be done quicker, but it is a labor intensive task. You have to drop the entire front differential to access the oil pan

 

No i did not. people are always reading these post. never hurts to put something up from someone that knows first hand what it takes.
been there done that.

 

Wow. Didn’t even Realize lol

 

okay Lol!!! I didn't realize wow wow wow i could rebuild your truck in my sleep< i will on post if this is whats its about
i do not want to waste time, more than willing to try to help anyone tho.

 

I didn’t mean you. I meant I didn’t look at the date of the OP when I commented. I didn’t realize I was responded to an old thread