Got an M50D in my new-to-me ranger. Shift rail plugs are leaking, I will deal with that. However it looks/smells like fresh gear oil is leaking out. As far as I know, that should be ATF.

The fill plug on the tranny is totally mangled and very stuck. I don't have tools to get it unstuck and I want to avoid shelling out cash for someone else to do it.

There's a smaller bolt just behind the fill plug, could that be removed and used to check the fluid level while I fill from the shifter? Or is that there for a completely different reason?

I appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks