lariat05.4

Well tomorrow my new VCT solenoids come in so along with replacing them I am doing an oil change and I want to drop the pan as well. I have the rattle at start up as well as the tick at hot idle. I have bought new chains, tensioners, phasers and everything else that is needed for that job and it will be done in the next month or so. I want to drop the pan to see if the guides have broken apart yet. I know that I have to take off the crossmember and that looks easy but Im not sure what else I have to remove. The front diff and rack and pinion are right in front of the crossmember. Does anyone have a good write up or pictures that can help me out a bit? Oh yea... 2005 Lariat 4x4 5.4

05screw

Are you just replacing the solinoids now and doing the phasers and timing chains later?

lariat05.4

I am just replacing the solenoids now because I can do it myself and Im not going to pay a mechanic to do it. The phasers and everything else ill leave for him in a few weeks. Plus id like to see if it makes a difference in the noise.

SuzukiRider

Oil pan is easy. Just loosen the sway bar and the pan slides right out. Dont mess with the diff or the crossmember, they arent in the way.

lariat05.4

Is it easy to loosen up the sway bar? Its to dark to look now but that doesnt require anything with the end links does it? The crossmember sits right under the pan, are you sure you can leave it? Thank you for your time.

05screw

awesome yeah thats what I want to know. Mine is making the cam phaser noise also so let me know if the solenoids make any difference. Obviously I am planning to do the phasers, timing chain and all the related parts as I have funds down the road.

lariat05.4

I will report back tomorrow with what I found out. I have read many threads about people doing this with great results so I figured I would replace them with the updated part. Tasca parts has them for a great price.

Anyone else have any hints for the oil pan?

lariat05.4

Bump...

Anyone else have any experience with removing the pan?

05screw

Any updates? Did you figure out how to get the oil pan off

Masi1926

I know the timing chain issue, I have it. Figured I'd start with the solenoids, guess what engine is as quiet as the day,I bought it. I may have got lucky ,but i'm washing my hands and stopping right here for now. I can be proud of my quiet motor again