I had an oil leak from the oil pan gasket. It was too bad, maybe 1-2 drops a day but enough to be annoying. After an estimate from the dealership I decided to do it myself. I'm pretty capable w/ the wrench just lacking on time. And dropping the front axle again was unnerving, but I found a better way. I jacked up the front of the car and put a huge jack stand under the front cross member that has the hitch attached. This allowed me to keep the front wheels on the ground and the half shafts attached as I lowered the front axle. Then getting to the oil pan was breeze. While I was in there I replaced the pickup tube gasket and I noticed a nice improvement in my oil pressure. Over all it took about 8 hours but I took my time cleaning around the area and painted the cross member holding the diff as well. It's a very doable job just time consuming but sort of worth avoiding the $1000 repair bill.

Here is a picture of the rear of the engine. I was glad to see it dry back there in hopes the rear-main isn't leaking:



Here is the pan before I cleaned it out.


This is how I safely lowered the axle:

 

Good to know and great pictures !

 

Thanks, the key is that bus-sized jack stand from harbor freight.

 

Nice work. However, I would recommend more jack stands and not rely on the hydraulic jack, as they can leak down.
Btw, your harbor freight jack stand looks sturdy, but no where near strong enough to hold a 9ton+ bus.
I also use 3ton, craftsman jack stands on my Hummer, although I use 2 when front is lifted, and 4 when lifted all around.
Always properly secure your vehicle, before going under it!
Here's a pic of a harbor freight jack stand failure posted on tacomaworld:

 

My jack stand is rated at 12 tons. And I can't imagine the diff was more than 40lbs at that point; pretty easy to move around. But thanks for the concern.

 

the way that jack stand is twisted it looks like the wheels where not chocked or the E brake implemented plus the truck was not on a level surface. ask me how i know... lol.. i wont do that again

 

You made it out alive. I have seen many news over the years of injuries/deaths due to getting crushed under a vehicle. Yes, chock the wheels and properly support both sides, of the end that is lifted, on the FRAME.

 

yup... right on point.