My oil pan is rusted through on my 98 Ram 1500. I was able to remove all of the bolts, except the 2nd and third bolt in from the back on the starter side. They are rusted and "stuck" to the pan. 2 questions:

1) I used a gator grip socket from Home Depot and got the other rounded, rusted bolts out, but cant get the last 2. I tried heating them up, soaking them with PB plaster, grinding around them with a Dremel tool. HELP!!

2) Once I get those remaining bolts out, will the pan just come off, or do I have to remove brackets or raise the motor as some threads stated?

I'm going camping on Friday and am starting to panic.

 

Got a slightly smaller gator grip? Drive it onto the rounded bolt with a hammer, and see if that will get it out.

Cutting the pan away from the bolts will give you a bunch more room to work..

If you have the braces that go from motor mounts, to bellhousing, and the starter out of the way, (I just set mine on the upper control arm, left wires connected..... make sure battery is disconnected though) you can get the pan out without having to raise the engine. (inspection plate removed also makes it easier.....)

 

I'll try to use a smaller gator grip. The one I have is quite larger than the 1/2 " bolt i'm trying to remove. What's a good tool to cut the remaining portion away? I have a small grinder, dremel and saw zaw at my disposal.

 

Dremel with the reinforced cut off wheels. I have also used smaller 12 point sockets driven onto the rounded off bolt head to get 'em out too.

 

You can get oil pan off without removing anything else.

But it's a PITA. Trust me

 

So I was able to get all of the bolts out, remove the pan withhout removing anything and replaced the oil pump. Now i'm trying to put the pan back in and it seems to be sticking at the back end. Do I need to remove the starter and tranny cover(not sure if thats the correct name). The front end goes up in without any issues.

 

i am pretty sure you were suppose to remove the starter and inspection cover to remove the oil pan

 

i had to remove the inspection plate. i tried to avoid it, but couldn't get the rear lip to unhook from the plate.

 

starter and inspection plate are a must to remove. no way around the lip on the inspection plate.

 

Thanks everyone! I'll attempt that this evening.