So much for changing my ATF to D4.... What should I do?

 

...Did you only insert the 3/8" drive ratchet until it hit the ball? Looks like it was inserted halfway.

That's really not that big of a deal. I would first get a new one on order so you have it on hand when you get this one out. After that, you can try pounding an 3/8" extension in there and carefully turning it. If that's a no go, pound a socket around the outside, or get an appropriately sized damaged bolt removing tool, like the Craftsman Bolt Out. Smash it around the outside and back it right out. If that fails you might be able to get locking pliers around it.

Whatever you do, just avoid putting this one back in. You're probably doing to trash it getting it out.

 

I'd be careful pounding something over the plug as that is an aluminum case, not hardened steel. Take a break and relax as you can still drive the car as the fluid hasn't been drained and the plug is not leaking. You can always get a suction drain through the dipstick tube until you decide what to do, or just leave it.
I've never so many stripped or broken plugs/bolts as I have on this Forum.

I would clean up the opening inside the plug, then place pieces of flat steel to take up the space around the extension. Remove and install new plug.

 

or take a ratchet you dont need, dip the head in jb weld. let the 3/8" head sit in the drain bolt for a day, then when the jb weld is dried, hopefully you can unscrew it. you gotta make sure the jb weld fills all that gap that you stripped though

 

Definitely do not go pounding on that case! Feeler guage for shims like discussed above or vice grips will work

 

how did this happen?

 

I would take a good extension and lightly tap it into the bolt with a plastic mallet. You won't crack the pan, it's cast aluminum, not glass. This should bottom the extension in what is left of the square bore. Then try to back it out. If that doesn't work, there appears to be enough room for "alternative measures," including vice grips (good ones with good teeth). That is what I would try. If that fails, you could have a nut welded onto the head of the bolt and use a socket to turn it out (or tap an extension in and have it welded in place). Just some ideas that come to mind.

 

Get a new plug/ crush gasket first, before you start messing with it.

Locking a good vice grip has a chance.

If a tork socket fits snug enough. I would try tapping a large torque socket on. It will ruin the socket though.

 

no offense OP but if you messed that up, I would take it to someone with wrench skills.

 

I believe this is the sign. If I be you I would keep it as is. Tranny is not an engine oil and it can last for 50 k easy w/o changing. Most of people don't even bother to change the atf at 75 k miles. If you at the high milage and haven't changed ATF before don't do it. Especialy 04-05 TLs I 've seen lot of transmission failures and harsh shifting which will eventually kill ur tranny.

 

I am going to try the alternatives discussed in this thread. But to be clear it was like this. So whoever had the car before me fucked it up

 

How many miles you have on your TL?