Hi all,

I am ready to change out my transmission oil to Redline MTL.  Having owned
several westfalias ranging in age from '78 to '81, I confidently slid under
the Blue Ox with my 17mm male hex socket and took out the fill plug.  Then I
slid further back, when to my dismay, I noticed that the drain plug was
underneath the skid plate protecting the engine case.  I could not figure
out a way to access to this plug so I started loosening the two long bolts
that hold the rear arms of the skid plate system...up near the motor mount.
Then I noticed lots of other stuff connected to those bolts (tin and God
knows what else)and decided to back off until I hit the list.  Searches in
the archives do not mention anything about this access problem.  The skid
plate in question is welded onto the rails...is that unique to my vehicle?
What is the easiest way to get those rails off?  The Blue Ox cannot wait to
bathe in the Redline juice.

Mucho appreciando.

Ben Beasley
1987 Vanagon GL Syncro "Babe, the Big Blue Ox"