Markos
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Seattle, WA
This is a short list of items that I didn't read about in any of the writeups. Most of them were non-issues, but worth mentioning
- Many of the oil pan bolts have studs protruding from them, make sure you have a deep socket. Many writeups suggest replacing with stainless. Good luck finding these special bolts in SS.
- The bearing brace on late model XJ's is held to the bearing cap bolts via studs that protrude from the bearing cap bolts. Make sure your bearing cap socket is a deep socket.
- Most writeups "can't remember" size of bearing cap bolts. 3/4" is too small. 13/16th fit the best, but felt a tad sloppy IMO. 20mm and 21mm sockets don't fit. I used 13/16ths.
- If you have a factory front skid, allocate time to remove this as well. You may be able to work around it, but it blocks access to many oil pan bolts, and you risk smacking your forehead on it.
- Brass punches bend really easily
- It's pointless trying to keep the oil pan gasket lined up with the oil pan while reinstalling. You can use zip ties to keep the gasket in place.
- '99+ XJ's have an oil pan support bracket that gets int he way of the two large oil pan bolts near the bell-housing. You should be able to jam your socket on these bolts, bending the rubber out of the way. The rubber may crack, requiring a new support bracket.
- One of the large bell housing bolts that holds on the inspection plate will hit the exhaust downpipe before the nut can be removed. Be prepared to bend the inspection plate with pliers to facilitate removal