2000 safari oil pump problems

My safari has about 125000 mi. The oil pump is bad. How hard of a job is it to replace in the AWD model.

The oil pump can be replaced with the engine in the vehicle, but it may require moving the steering drag link and front axle housing slightly forward and out of the way to remove the oil pan. The engine will also have to be raised slightly.

Installing the oil pump drive shaft can be a little tricky from the underside, but not impossible.

More importantly, if the oil pump failed, there may be bearing and/or crank damage resulting from the lack of lubrication. Once the oil pan is removed, it may be prudent to remove main and rod bearing caps to allow close inspection of the journals and shells. Even if the crank and bearings are intact, installing new (standard sized) bearings is a cheap way to freshen up the bottom end and provide peace of mind for the next 100,000 miles.

Thanks for the reply. I managed to finally replace the oil pump without any complications. The most difficult part was getting a wrench on the top of the bolts for the axle housing.

the enine looked pretty good internally so, at the advice of one of my "motorhead" friends, we did not mess with the bearings at all.

I have good oil pressure now and the engine is quiet and smooth as a sewing machine.

What were your indicators of a "bad" pump? Oil light on? gage low? did you confirm with mechanical gage first? Just wish to learn.......