Tmo2012G37X

Ironically I just bought the car w/56K miles. Take it to the Nissan dealer to get all the the fluids changed. No issues whatsoever before service. After parking the vehicle and taking it out a few days later there's a puddle under the car and the coolant leaking. Take it back and they noticed the leak is coming between the pipe water inlet manifold and the rear coolant crossover pipe. Hopefully its just the o-ring. However, the steelership wants $1200.00 including the crossover pipe and all un-reusable items, $300 less if the crossover tube is still in good shape. Per the labor they claimed it is required to drop the transmission in order to gain access. Can any vets confirm this? I thought I read elsewhere that you can also access through the top. If so might as well do the valve covers as well.