Is it necessary to pull the differential because it is in the way of the oil pan? I have heard from a couple mechanics that this is necessary because it is in the way of the oil pan, but I also remember when I changed the oil pump on my Camaro the oil pan only had to come down an inch or so.

Can the pump swap be done by leaving a couple bolts in the pan and dropping it an inch like some of the oil pump walkthroughs for the Camaros tell you to do, or is there a different procedure for the Silverados?

Thanks.

 

I just did my 2wd, but I only had to lower the oil pan about an inch. I didn't remove any of the block to pan bolts, just loosened them.

 

I don't know if it's possible to do it without dropping the diff, but regardless it's much easier to pull the diff IMO. You'll spend twice the time trying to fanangle it out from a tight gap,and if you drop one bolt or the pickup tube o-ring you'll be dropping the diff & pan anyway. The diff isn't hard to get out, 6 bolts on each spindle and the 2 or 3 to drop it IIRC.

 

This doesn't sound easy at all. I'm reading all the internet how-to's on dropping the front diff and I'm learning you need a tranny jack, and to drain the front driveshaft, etc, in addition to the bolts thunder550 stated. Right?

Draining the fluid in the front diff isn't a big deal as I'm sure it needs changed anyway.

I'm not a novice, but not advanced either, and I don't have a lot of equipment except access to a lift and standard sockets and gear wrenches. I thought the same oil pump swap in my Camaro wasn't that difficult--just time consuming. But this might be getting to be a bigger job than I can handle just to remove all the **** to get to it.

Can anyone confirm that they have done an oil pump swap w/o dropping the front differential? Did it cause the job to be much more difficult?

 

Take a look under the truck, yes its going to be a difficult job with diff in place. It's a difficult job even on a 4x2 t-bar truck.

 

Dropping the front diff is not that hard...

-take out from dshaft
-unbolt both cvs from the axle and move them out of the way
-unhook actuator, wire clips, and vent hose
-turn the wheels all the way to the left
-unbolt passenger side support and driver side bolt, so now the diff should be sitting on the centerlink
-once you get it down somewhat, turn the wheels all the way to the right and you should be able to rotate it down and out.

I may have got the wheel directions backwards, but the important thing is you have to change direction once you get the diff down.

 

You can ger it out with floor jack fairly easy no tranny jack needed

 

I forgot about the center link - I think it needs to be separated from the pitman and idler arms to give the diff enough clearance to come all the way out. Maybe it's not quite as easy as I made it sound, lol.

 

No, you just have to turn the wheels to clear that hump section.