Hi guys-

This seems like a stupid question for me to ask because i've done this many other times on other cars.

I'm changing the transmission fluid on my 97 OBW to hopefully solve my torque bind issues. Cross your fingers.... Checking tires will be next. For the life of me i cant figure out how to get the darn filter out. I removed the 4 bolts that hold it in place. There's a mini-crossmember under the filter preventing me from being able to pull it out after it's loose. Does the little crossmember bar come out somehow? What's the trick to this one from somebody who's done this? My Haynes repair manual doesn't speak anything of filter removal/installation. Thanks!

Once you have all the bolts off, you just need to use brute strength.

 

However you don't need to replace it.....it's just a screen. If your tranny fluid looks good, and you don't have chunks of metal on the magnet, you should be fine. A magnet goo/paste on the magnet is normal.