Greasing Front Axle Support

[Atlanta Panther]

On my L3200HST 4WD the manual says to remove the breather plug when greasing the front axle support. The plug is one of the square head bolts and I can't get it out. I seem to recall someone saying that the axle could be under pressure. Is that possible? Or should I just squirt some bolt remover in there to try to loosen it up to remove it? I need to finish my grease job.

 

[ipz2222]

the pressure issue would only be a couple of pounds at the most. The plug is probably just stuck, never been removed before.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

They probably put some thread locker on it from the factory.
There is a square drive socket that really helps to get them out.

 

[Daren Todd]

8 pt socket and an impact if you can get to it. If not the breaker bar and cheater pipe. Have had to weld a nut from a 3/4 bolt on some, And then had words with the idiot who put the plug in with an impact afterwords

 

[Stubbyie]

Use an 8-point half-inch (if you have 1/2, or 3/8 otherwise) drive socket and a cheater pipe on a break-over bar. Try soaking in Kroil or other penetrant first and let soak.

If you try using an impact on a standard non-impact 8-point square socket you'll probably split it---the socket---in half.

A big Sears is the best place to find standard 8-point sockets. Determine the size by checking using a standard open-end wrench.

If you suspect OEM thread-locker try heating a big soldering copper iron or other chunk of metal and holding it to the stuck plug for a minute then be prepared to get on it with a socket before the locker solidifies. I would't use direct flame heat.

Please post back your experiences so we may all learn.