Ford Enthusiast

[patrussell]

I was planning to change the transmission filter and fluid in my 98 Escort tonight but ran into a small problem. There is a small steel block attached by rubber to a bracket in the center of the car (underneath) that is blocking some of the pan bolts. The Haynes manual does not show this and seems to indicate that there shouldn't be anything there. The bolt holding the bracket on is rusted pretty good and is currently soaking in Blaster until I try again in the morning.

Any thoughts/answers as to what this part is?

Thanks.