i have a '98 chevy tracker and was attempting to change the automatic transmission filter like the book states.  after draining the pan and unbolting it i still can' get the pan out from the driveshaft.  do i need to drop the driveshaft.  any help would be apprieciated.

Yes, Same think on my 89' , 2 things that
will help, mark the front bolt flange with punch
marks so you can get the shaft back on the same
as it came off, mine viberated until I put it back
in 3 different times    

And if you can weld, or have it done, install a drain
plug so you don't get Trans fluid all over the place
for next time when you change the filter. More
important than the filter is to keep clean ATF in
that trans for long life, with a drain it's easy to change
ATF every 25-30,000 Miles and change filter every
75,000.

The only place I could find that would be sure not
to interfear with any thing in the trans was right
about where the driveshaft is, so ATF will still get
on the shaft, but not down my arms (hate that)

Good Luck,
Wild

Same thing with my '90.

I had to drop the front propeller shaft as the shop manual called it.

I agree with the drain plug comment.  I put one in mine.  There was an indent in my pan where it's supposed to go which is right above the drive shaft , but it does make draining the trans fluid much nicer.  And I think that's handy since 2 or 3 quarts stay in the TC when you drain the pan.  I did a pseudo flush & fill by draining two quarts, refilling, running for 10 or so minutes, repeating 4 times.

One last thing; borrow a torque wrench for tightening the pan bolts if you don't already have one.  They are only supposed to be tightened to about 14 ft-lbs.  They're easy to break off, plus, if you overtighten them, there's a good chance the gasket will leak.

thanks for the input guys.  got scared to monkey with the driveshaft so i put it back together till atleast tomorrow when the rain stops.  there is a yellow coating on the bolts on the driveshaft, think this could be sometype of thread lock that i would need to heat before trying to remove??  My '98 already has a drain plug in the pan, guess they realized it made it easier from years past.  thanks again, glad i found this site.  

p.s. - anybody in the lehigh valley/poconos that would like to get a regular group for paragon together give me email or something.

No, you don't have to heat it, it's just paint,
locktite goes on the threads before you put
the nut on, I think it's a check thing for quality
control before the truck leaves the factory, but
I'm not sure, it would keep nuts from falling off
tho, so it might be just a safety thing too.

Drain plug, hmm, nice touch.
Make Sure You Mark The Flanges On The Drive Shaft !!!

Wild