Valve cover gaskets. Pain in the butt. Alternator was easy but time-consuming.

I here is my top 3:
1: Rear lower swing arm
2: oil separator with ALL tubes
3: catalytic converters with manifold

I am with jst, VCG and valley pan are just crazy PITA. I am taking it easy right now on both jobs, so far I get the VCG replaced and got the whole intake manifold out, I cut a piece of plywood about 25" long as pedestal so I can kneel on top of the engine to get to coolant manifold at the firewall, it gets late so I need to continue tomorrow. No wonder dealer wanted $1600 just for Valley pan on top of $1000 for VCG.
This is on 4.4i V8.

Oil Separator on the 3.0 without removing intake manifold and fuel rail...what a b!tch. Never again.

Repairing the DSC module. Cutting the lid off and not disturbing and bonding wires. :yikes: Oh well...It works now and I saved all the hastles of getting a new one re-programmed (and the cash of course)

power steering hoses
transmission rebuild
transfer case rebuild
diff rebuild
rear sub frame mounts/bushings
timing chain tensioners

Swiss Frank! good to hear from you. im still amazed at that beautiful write-up on the trnsmission rebuild. so far, knock on wood i havent had to confront this issue like yours. happy new year

Ya, i still lurk around here ;)

Consider yourself part of the group that will probably never need to join this club.

Happy New Year to you all!