Removal Procedure

Disconnect the battery negative cable. Refer to BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE DISCONNECT/CONNECT PROCEDURE in Battery.
Remove the oil level indicator.
Raise the vehicle. Refer to LIFTING AND JACKING THE VEHICLE in General Information.
Remove the oil pan drain plug and drain the engine oil into a suitable container.
Remove the oil filter.
Remove the bolt holding the oil cooler pipes bracket to the oil pan.

Fig 1: Removing Bolt Holding Oil Cooler Pipes Bracket To Oil Pan
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the oil filter adapter. Refer to OIL FILTER ADAPTER REPLACEMENT .
Remove the bolt holding the bracket for the starter wiring harness and the transmission cooler pipes.

Fig 2: Removing Bolt Holding Bracket For Starter Wiring Harness And Transmission Cooler Pipes
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the crankcase position (CKP) sensor wiring harness from the retainer.
Remove the starter. Refer to STARTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT in Battery.
Remove the transmission cover.

Fig 3: Removing Transmission Cover
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the inner axle shaft housing support bracket to the frame nuts and the washers (AWD only).

Fig 4: Removing Inner Axle Shaft Housing Support Bracket To Frame Nuts And Washers
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the front differential carrier upper and lower mounting nuts and bolts (AWD only).

Fig 5: Removing Front Differential Carrier Upper And Lower Mounting Nuts And Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Lower the front differential carrier assembly only enough for removal of the oil pan.
Remove the access plugs for the oil pan rear nuts.

Fig 6: Removing Access Plugs For Oil Pan Rear nuts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the transmission to oil pan bolts.

Fig 7: Removing Transmission To Oil Pan Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the oil pan from the engine. Refer to OIL PAN REMOVAL .
Clean all sealing surfaces on the engine and the oil pan. Refer to OIL PAN CLEANING AND INSPECTION .