OK, spent the morning removing the diff. to get out out of way, etc. I have the pan all free but it will only droip about an inch. I removed the 2 10mm nuts holding the oil pump pickup tube thinking maybe that would let things fall. Please help with advice?

 

What motor/ vehicle?

 

geeze, sorry. 3.0V6, 92 4runner. got a rod knock i am pretty sure.

 

Remove oil pan first. Then remove oil pickup tube/strainer(2 bolts + 2 nuts). Then remove oil pan baffle plate.

See pages EG2-97 and EG2-98 of the FSM.
http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...ne/69cylin.pdf

 

Not sure about your v6, but on my 4 cylinder the pan comes off really easily. You may need to undo the 2 transmission stiffener plates on the sides where it bolts to the transmission. If you're sure you got all the bolts off for the pan, just look around the whole thing and see where it's binding up. Nothing on the inside should keep it from coming off.

 

And be sure to disregard post #5. As it does not apply.

 

I have those braces off. The pan is loose and will hang 1 inch all the way around. It is like it is hanging up on internal parts. I have put my fingers in both sides and pulled down hard hanging on it. Stuck somehow like it is a puzzle in that i need to rotate pan or something.

 

To be clear. I can run my fingers all the way around inside off pan. It is for sure loose and hanging an inch and flopping.

 

You are trying to remove the oil pan with the baffle plate attached. It's not possible for the oil pan to catch on ANYTHING. Trust me. It's not a puzzle. Just read the FSM instructions and follow them.

 

Got it. Out was the baffle pan. Had no idea it was sandwiched in like that. I go on record say i don't like that design.