Dropping Oil Pan On 2010 Silverado: Step-By-Step Guide

The oil pan in a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado acts as an oil reservoir, collecting oil to be circulated by the oil pump. If the oil pan is damaged, leaking oil may be the result. To replace the oil pan, the vehicle must first be raised using a jack and jack stands, or a ramp. The oil is then drained, and various items attached to the oil pan are removed, such as the negative battery cable, front differential, and underbody shield. The oil pan bolts are then disconnected, allowing the oil pan to drop.

How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Chevy Silverado

Drain the oil from the Silverado

To drain the oil from your Silverado, first, run the engine for around 10 minutes to heat it up and circulate the oil. Park your car on level ground and use a jack and jack stands to raise the vehicle. Open the hood and locate the engine cap on the right side of the engine. Remove the cap to release pressure.

Place an oil drip pan under the engine block, directly underneath the oil drain plug. The drain plug is located on the oil pan, between the tires. Use a wrench to loosen and remove the plug, allowing the oil to drain into the pan.

Once the oil has drained, you will need to remove the negative battery cable, the front differential (for four-wheel-drive vehicles), and the underbody shield. Use a wrench or socket set to remove these components.

Next, you will need to remove the oil pan shield by loosening the four bolts holding it in place along its edges. Then, remove the cross brace, oil filter, transmission to oil pan bolts, and the oil level sensor.

Disconnect the bolts from the front wiring harness, engine wiring harness retainer, engine oil cooler pipe to oil bolts, and transmission oil cooler pipe retainer. Also, locate the closeout covers and bolts on each side of the engine and remove them.

Finally, disconnect the oil pan bolts using a wrench, and the oil pan gasket will fall off. Remember to replace the gasket before reinstalling the oil pan.

Remove the negative battery cable

To remove the negative battery cable from your 2010 Silverado, follow these steps:

First, turn off the ignition of your car. You should never attempt to disconnect the battery while the car is powered on. For safety, it is recommended that you wear gloves and safety goggles if you have them.

Next, locate the negative battery terminal. Open the hood of your car and locate the car battery. Car batteries are large, block-like components with two large cables attached near the engine bay's surface. The negative terminal should be marked with a "-" symbol and will likely be black with a black plastic cap.

Once you have located the negative terminal, use a wrench to loosen the nut. You may need to try a few different wrench sizes to find the correct fit. Remove the plastic cap if there is one, then loosen the nut by turning it counterclockwise.

After loosening the nut, remove the negative connector cable from the battery and push it aside, ensuring it does not come into contact with the battery. Modern vehicles may have their cables "seized" or attached to the battery post, in which case you will need a battery cable removal tool.

At this point, your negative battery cable should be successfully disconnected. You can now perform maintenance, replace the battery, or proceed with other repairs. Remember to exercise caution and refer to your owner's manual if needed.

Please note that these instructions provide a general guide, and specific details may vary depending on your vehicle's make and model.

Remove the front differential

To remove the front differential of a 2010 Silverado, follow these steps:

• Jack up the front of the truck and place it on jack stands.
• Drain the oil.
• Remove the plastic splash guard (5 bolts).
• Remove the front skid plate (four bolts).
• Remove the driver-side upper and lower differential housing-to-chassis bolts and nut.
• Remove the two passenger-side axle support-to-chassis nuts and washers.
• Remove the cross brace (two bolts on the passenger side, two on the driver side).
• Remove the lower bellhousing bolts.
• Remove the starter.
• Remove the cable supports from the passenger side at the oil pan and at the front of the oil pan.
• Remove the oil filter bypass lines at the oil pan.
• Disconnect the oil level sensor connector.
• Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right.
• Lower the front differential as far as it will go.

Now you have access to the front differential and can proceed with your repairs or maintenance.

Remove the underbody/oil pan shield

To remove the underbody/oil pan shield from a 2010 Silverado, first refer to the Engine Electrical section in the service manual and disconnect the negative battery cable. Then, remove the underbody shield from the vehicle. If your Silverado is equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD), remove the inner axle housing nuts and washers from the bracket. Support the front drive axle with a suitable jack and remove the differential carrier upper and lower mounting bolts and nuts. Lower the front drive axle.

Next, remove the oil pan underbody shield, followed by the cross brace if your vehicle has one. Drain the engine oil and remove the engine oil filter. Refer to the Engine Oil and Oil Filter Change section in the service manual.

Disconnect the oil pan bolts

To disconnect the oil pan bolts of a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado, first, make sure you have the proper equipment to raise the vehicle securely. You can use a ramp or a jack with jack stands. Follow the manufacturer's directions for usage and safety.

Next, drain the oil from the Silverado by placing an oil drip pan under the vehicle's engine block, directly under the oil drain plug. The drain plug is located on the oil pan, between the tires. Use a wrench to loosen and remove the plug, allowing the oil to drain.

Now, you need to remove the various items attached to the oil pan or in the way of its removal. First, remove the negative battery cable by unscrewing the bolt holding it in place with a wrench. If your Silverado is a four-wheel-drive model, you will also need to remove the front differential. Additionally, remove the underbody/oil pan shield by loosening the bolts along its edges.

Then, remove the following components:

• Cross brace
• Oil filter
• Transmission to oil pan bolts
• Oil level sensor

Follow this by removing the bolts from the following:

• Two front wiring harnesses
• Engine wiring harness retainer
• Engine oil cooler pipe to oil bolts
• Transmission oil cooler pipe retainer
• Closeout covers and bolts on each side of the engine

Now, you can disconnect the oil pan bolts using a wrench. The oil pan gasket will fall off, and it is recommended to replace it before reinstalling the oil pan.

Please note that this is a general guide, and you should refer to a repair manual or seek professional assistance for a detailed, step-by-step procedure specific to your vehicle.

Frequently asked questions