M8540 Front Axle Assembly support Help

[Firemedic]

I have a M8540 and today while greasing the front end I found this bolt broken. It apers to have broken off in the threads. From the parts break down on Messicks it appears there are only two bolts holding this, well one now. I cannot get the other bolt out to attempt to get the threads out of the hole.
Of coarse the snow of the century is to start tomorrow evening. Any suggestions on getting the other bolt out so I can more easily get to the threads to extract them? The bolt that is there will turn fairly easily 1/4 of a turn and then becomes tight. Is something else holding this cap on? I have removed the grease zerk and released any pressure that was there.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You might need to heat the bolt and or case if it has loctite on it.
Nothing else holds it in or on.

 

[Firemedic]

Well, no luck getting the other (non broken) bolt out nor the one that is snapped off in the case. I assume if I put a breaker bar on the one that isnt broken I will snap it and then may be able to get to the broken pieces easier to get them out.
Am I missing something, I went to the other side and they wont turn more than 1/4 turn either.
How critical is this cap assembly? DO you think I will be able to use the loader to push snow with the one bolt broken?
Also, I cannot determine the thread pitch for the bolt. I believe from the part number that it is an M16 x2" however I cannot find the thread anywhere. Of course no Kubota dealer near me has them, so I was trying to source locally.

 

[JohnDB]

I get the feeling you want to get the tractor into action ASAP, so I'm only offering this as an interim response until Wolfman or someone else with more knowledge than me comes along.

Don't.

IMHO the cap is critical... don't push snow with it even with the other bolt in place... it might snap too and set off a chain reaction of damage.

(It is very weird that those other bolts won't undo either. I don't think you're missing anything.
The bolt is likely M16x1.5 pitch - its a finer metric thread than standard so try to match the thread if you aren't sure. The strength grade is usually embossed in the head of the bolt, and your replacement metric bolts should carry the same or similar number).

 

[JohnDB]

@Firemedic the Kubota Workshop manual for your tractor here if you don't already have it:
https://www.gardentractortalk.com/d...30d70430248d8b739-kubota-m8540--m9540-wsm.pdf