Oil pan drop on 2006 4.0

[surfobx031]

Trying to replace my RMS & oil pan gasket but hit snag when it comes to dropping the oil pan. Now, I've seen the great how-to post up here from years back, watched videos on Youtubes, but none that I've seen involve the two mini catalytic converters I have at the head of the exhaust pipe, bolted to the header.

I've unbolted the exhaust pipes/mini CC's, both hangers aft of the muffler and have pushed the entire works forward in order drop the pan BUT it won't clear because there's a curved metal sheet (heat shield?) forward of the CC's stopping them from moving forward enough to disconnect the hanger next to the transfer case (the one w/ the tubular bushing). I'm about 1" short or so but I'm at a dead stop. Honestly at this point thinking of bending that metal shield to try & make room but it'd probably snap off either bending it forward or bending it back considering it's 18+ years old.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[TJ Jim]

Pics would really help. I’m having a hard time seeing what you’re struggling with. Is it a heat shield on the mini cats?

 

[surfobx031]

Pics would really help. I’m having a hard time seeing what you’re struggling with. Is it a heat shield on the mini cats?View attachment 564178

I assume it’s a shield of some sort, given its position forward of the cats & and dimensions- large enough to shield the first cat (think of an arc segment of a circle from 9:00 to 12:00) . So when you push everything forward, the forward-most cat is stopped by this curved sheet of metal.

Naturally I forgot a pic which I’ll post when I get back at it tomorrow morning :/

 

[JKP]

I don't remember anything being in front of the mini cats on my 06.

From the FSM:

 

[TJ Jim]

Same here. Cannot visualize what’s got him hung up.

 

[surfobx031]

I don't remember anything being in front of the mini cats on my 06.

From the FSM:
View attachment 564186

I’ll get them dang pics tomorrow, lol. The frustration beers clouded my judgement earlier!

“To alcohol! The cause of & solution to all of life’s problems.” -Homer Simpson

 

[macleanflood]

Thanks again for reminding me of how awesome my 97's exhaust is.

-Mac

 

[TJ Jim]

My next one will be a 97. Maybe even a 96

 

[surfobx031]

Same here. Cannot visualize what’s got him hung up.

 

[shortydog33]

View attachment 564300

View attachment 564301

That is a heat shield for the motor mount I believe, you may have to remove the motor mount bolt to remove it but honestly I do not remember how it is attached. I cut the exhaust pipe between where the pipe bends towards the rear of the Jeep and the cat and welded back together when done. May be other better ways to do but it worked for me.

 

[surfobx031]

That is a heat shield for the motor mount I believe, you may have to remove the motor mount bolt to remove it but honestly I do not remember how it is attached. I cut the exhaust pipe between where the pipe bends towards the rear of the Jeep and the cat and welded back together when done. May be other better ways to do but it worked for me.

Well, it was the heat shield for the motor mount. I tried bending that sucker forward but it wouldn’t go far enough, literally needed less half an inch to drop the pipe. It was riveted to the motor mount arm so I took a pry bar to it and popped it off and was able to drop the pipe & oil pan. Now I have to figure out how to remount it or a Plan B.