I had planned it since last week, had everything ready--tools, 14 qts atf, new atf funnel, empty bottles, napkins, rags, ipd kit, aluminum baking pan. today the sun is shining, the sky is blue, not hot, not cold--the weather is pleasant. yesterday I meticulously measured 2 milk jugs, 2 2-litre soda bottles, and 2 juice jugs for quart measurements. so just earlier, after coming home from work I let the car cool for about an hour and some minutes. then it was time. first thing I was gonna do was to drain the pan, add the necessary quarts via the filler tube, and then start doing the flush with my ipd kit.

grrrrrrr!

this will be really stupid, but I just could not loosen the drain plug! and what's even more stupid is that I for some reason wasn't sure which way to turn the 14mm rachet. righty tighty/lefty loosey--got that, but for some reason I lost sense of direction laying prone under the car. I initially turned the rachet toward me. bolt would not budge. the thought of applying gorilla force got me concered. what if I'm turning the wrong way! I stopped, mentally thought about the times I screwed and unscrewed nuts and bolts--lefty loosey/righty tighty. went back under and tried it once more. the bolt still would not move. then the thought of contorting the metal around the bolt area or possibly stripping threads scared me. and I decided to even out what I had done by turning the rachet the other way. this time I wasn't trying to loosen the bolt but just wanted to "even out" the pressure I had initially applied when I turned the bolt toward me.

I am a bit disappointed, frustrated, discouraged. the whole loosening the drain plug made me reconsider. I just didn't have enough confidence. I know it's easy, read the faq and ipd's manual, and tips and pointers from many of you brick nuts here. but somehow in the back of my head I was afraid of running into this sort of problem: not being able to loosen a nut, screw, or whatever. many years ago this sort of thing happened when I embarked on my first oil change. I could not loosen the drain plug. I posted an sos on brickboard asking which way do I turn the bolt. quick reply from don foster and I was on my merry way to completing my oil change.

okay, so I have a case plus two qts of atf. I have all the stuff ready. I might need some time to gather more confidence before I undertake this job again. so, for the most silliest question of the week: WHICH WAY DO I TURN THE 14mm BOLT? toward me or away from me? either way, both seemed pretty tight! I don't want to guess anymore! thank you for having read this far! and thanks for all those who gave exceelent tips and advice a few backs. special thanks for the brick nut who e-mailed me offering his help! I have yer number, so I might need to bug you (at yer convenience :P).

sigh

it's friday, maybe I'll just chill, relax, and get something good to eat. at least I tried :|