Hi, I am trying to remove the oil pan from an automatic 1988 b2200. I removed a crossmember and the plate that covers the transmission. It looks like I still can't get the pan out. Is it necessary to remove the gusset braces AND the center link in the way.

If I do have to remove the center link, am I just supposed to use a pitman puller on the idler arm side? I rented the puller but I am concerned if I am going to break the center link or idler arm because if I use the puller, the bolt next to it on the center link is perpendicular to the force the puller would be applying and the idler arm is stationary.

 

I haven't pulled the oil pan since 2011, so going by faded memory, and my B2200 was 5-speed.

Yes, I removed the two gussets. I also had to extract either the idler arm end or center link end (can't remember), took a 23mm socket and a puller like this so it didn't damage anything. These are available at Harbor Freight. tie-rod-and-pitman-arm-puller-63684.html Remember - do NOT use an oil pan gasket, they generally leak; use only stuff like Permatex Ultra Grey to seal the oil pan.

 

You can actually leave the link connected to both the Idler Arm, and the Pitman Arm, and just remove the two bolts through the frame that hold the Idler Arm in place, and let the linkage hang lower to help in removing the oil pan.