Dropping the Transmission Pan on a 2007 Yucon Denali

[TraumaTruck1]

Thank you all for the previous discussions on transmission fluid changes. It helped me a lot yesterday, but I did run into a difficulty that I wasn't expecting. Which I haven't seen anybody write about dropping the transmission pan on a Denali with the 6.2L and 6speed auto transmission.

I ran into a problem with the exhaust running under the pan to close for the pan to come out. I got it completely unbolted, and it kept hanging on the exhaust and the transmission internal components no matter how I tried to move it around to get it out. I even unbolted the transmission from the cross member and jacked it up to the floor, and it still wouldn't come out. I did however get it to tilt enough to get the filter out between the pan and transmission, use a hand pump to get all of the old fluid out, and get a new filter in. It almost whooped me, but I got it done.

Has anyone else run into this on a Denali? Is there a trick to getting it out that I missed? I don't believe it's an aftermarket exhaust. The only think that I can think of to do differently would be to unbolt the exhaust from the manifolds so it would drop.

Any ideas to make it easier next time?

 

[Goodinblack]

You have to drop the exhaust at the manifolds. On my last job on the Yukon I just dropped only the right side exhaust and used a 24 inch pry bar to gently pull the y pipe down and slid the pan out.

Also.

The O2 sensor has to be removed to access the 3rd nut on the flange.

You clean the magnet?

---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 PM ----------

Pulling the flanges nuts can be a huge problem if they are rusted on there. A impact gun is a great thing to have. Turning by force you can actually break the stud at the manifold. That's when the real pain starts.

Soaking the nuts in penetrating oil a few days prior to removal is wise.

 

[TraumaTruck1]

I did get the magnet cleaned. Luckily it's right there in front.

I talked to a friend of mine who used to be a GM mechanic. He worked for a Chevy dealer, so he didn't work on Denalis, but he did say that there were several cars that you have to drop the exhaust to get the pan out. I sure hoped that lifting the transmission would give me enough room.

I do at least feel better that I am not just a big dummy, and that you really do have to work to get the pan out.

We have put a couple hundred miles on it since I changed the fluid yesterday, and it has driven perfectly. The shifts are smooth with no issues. If that effort extends the life of the transmission, it will be worth it.

 

[08grey]

I want to do this as well. I have read of people just prying the exhaust down and looking at the underside of mine I thought I would be able to get away with it.

 

[Goodinblack]

I want to do this as well. I have read of people just prying the exhaust down and looking at the underside of mine I thought I would be able to get away with it.

Its always that last mm lol

---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 PM ----------

I sure hoped that lifting the transmission would give me enough room.

Been there done that.

The issue is that after removing the trans mount bolt and lifting the trans ........

The transmission is attached to engine. The engine is attached to the y pipe. Thus the y pipe moves with the transmission.

---------- Post added at 12:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------

To all you guys who still want to do this without dropping the exhaust. It may be possible.

I have done it without moving the exhaust on the 2wd 2009 Suburban. On a 2wd 2011 Yukon XL it is impossible.

Also when doing this be careful not to bump the shift solenoids in the valve body too much or too hard.