Tonight I started to put on my bagger brace. I got the 6 bolts out of the oil pan. I tried to slide the brace between the pan and the frame. The left side will go but the right side does not. The cross member seems to be straight. Do I just bend it out? Will it be bad to push it out with a pry bar against the oil pan?
Thanks
Eric

 

I would suggest you NOT pry against the oil pan. If the cross member is tweaked, you'll have to finesse it back a little at a time. Try to get the ten little allen headed bolts started on the cross member portion one at a time and tighten them little by little until you can get all of them in. This should pull the cross member true again.

They do make a tool to straighten it, but try this method first.

Here's a link to the tool, maybe you can make one and save some cash: http://www.true-track.com/tt_20-00et.html

 

I looked at the cross member again. It bows upward inthe middle. It is the engine that I can not get between the cross member (on the frame) and the oil pan.

So I should use the cross plate and the stays to try to get it straight? I knew I shouldn't have started this tonight. lol

 

Eric, if the cross member is tweaked beyond being able to do what I suggested, you will have to fabricate a tool like the one I linked you to. I'm sure some have "pryed" it straight, but this is not something I would suggest.

 

Thanks for the reply. I think Sat I will give it a shot the way you suggested.
Eric

 

Post or PM if you need anything. Let us know how it goes.

 

Ultracla$$ic is correct about being very very cautious around the oil pan...I did pry mine down and forward it was way out of whack I have a lot of tools at my disposal being a Matco tool salesman...and do not use the plate to try and straighten the cross piece...it will become sprung and you will not get the bolts out ever again.

 

+ = success!

 

Corona might help. lol. The brace should just slide right in? If the cross member is bowed inthe middle would that be my problem?

 

yes tolerances are very close for the pan brace sliding in