Help on Tranny Fluid change

[Drake]

(posted for help on this and another forum)
I did the Diff fluid today and wanted to do the tranny fluid at the same time. I couldn't seem to get the 17mm Allen key to fit. There was something like a crossmember in the way (someone who's familiar with names can chime in). It really didn't help that the small ramps I have didn't give me a good position under the car.
so

1)See this thread if you have any ideas about raising the 4 corners of the car: http://www.bimmerclassics.net/forum/showthread.php?t=809

2)Is there a trick to fitting the Allen key in there, or will it be blaringly obvious once I get the car high enough to work under?

Some of you are really mechanically inclined, so feel free to offer any suggestions to me (who has little mechanical experience)
Car's a '88 325is

[fastbmw]

are you talking about the diff drain plug or the tranny drain plug? It should be very obvious, but I wouldn't use the allen key, you probably won't get enough torque on it. I used a socket wrench with the proper "allen key" head. Mine was on pretty dang tight. Make sure you have room and it will be easy.

[Drake]

are you talking about the diff drain plug or the tranny drain plug? It should be very obvious, but I wouldn't use the allen key, you probably won't get enough torque on it. I used a socket wrench with the proper "allen key" head. Mine was on pretty dang tight. Make sure you have room and it will be easy.

Thanks for the help, I got it all done. I jacked up the front right, and that was high enough to work under it. The biggest pain by far was loosening and tightening the filler bolt. There's not much room to get a wrench in there.

My Review of Redline MTL: Car shifts a lot smoother, in general a much nicer shifting experience. I'll update this once I get a chance to drive it when the fluid is cold.

[fastbmw]

nice work. Yeah redline fluids are quite good. But you pay for the quality too.

[Drake]

nice work. Yeah redline fluids are quite good. But you pay for the quality too.

I did Tranny and Differential fluids (both Redline) for under $50, so I'm happy with that.