Dear Samson Antagonistes,

YES, you are afflicted by the A/T fill tube's attachment to the A/T pan, no matter how strong your arm.

NO, you are not alone. This happens a lot, according to the frequency of posts here, and according to the local transmission guy I talked to when I had the same problem.

NB: As Don Foster said, there are two hex fittings at the base of the tube. The one closest to the pan *cannot* turn. It is welded to the pan. It is meant for your use to glom onto and work the other nut against, to avoid tearing the piss out of the pan.

You have *several* reasonable options:

1. Do *not* pull the pan. If your only reason to drop the pan is for routine maintenance, I think that this is the best option. What will you find anyway? Some grunge. Some small flakes attached to small magnets. A filter that doesn't need cleaning, and for which Volvo issued a technical service bulletin (TSB): cleaning is not necessary. Just drain what is in the pan and flush the remainder of the fluid by running the engine and adding new fluid as old is disharged.

2. Repeatedly hit the fasteners with PBlaster and try again. Good luck.

3. Apply heat. Propane is probably a waste of time. Borrow an acetylene torch, or drive to a place that has an acetylene torch, which is worth it for the item, small as it seems.

4. Pull the two bolts that secure the tube to the starter. Extract the tube + brace + pan as a unit. If you have good light and room beneath the car to work this is not as bad as it seems at first blush.

5. Cut the filler tube. Actually cut a 3" section from the tube. Hacksaw. Sneer at tube. Rejoice when done. Then clean everything very thoroughly, find a 6" section of *hydraulic* hose, and 4 hose clamps. Place sealant on each end of tubing, slip on hose, double clamp each end.

And, as Don says, "If you successfully remove it, be sure to slap on the never-seize at reassembly."