Rear diff running hot

[Isa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Isa]

Has anyone had a problem removing the filler plug from the rear diff? I went for a drive towing a trailer yesterday and when I got home the rear diff smelt hot. I waited till this morning and tried to check the oil level but cannot budge the filler. I even tried putting a rattle gun on it but still couldn't move it. It is a 2001 50th anniversary model with 102,000 kilometres on it. Surely the bung is not a left hand thread.
Any advice is welcome.

[Isa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Isa]

Thanks The Roo, I have tried leverage with no positive result (the rattle gun was a last resort). I have just finished speaking with a mate (diesel fitter) who says to hit it flush and hard with a hammer to compact the washer a little. This will involve jacking the chassis and dropping the handbrake cable so I get a clean hit on it. I am going to take it for a drive first and try leverage when there is some heat in it, then I will give it a good smack if it asks for it. I will let you know the end results.

[Bounder Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bounder]

Try heating the diff around it with a blowtorch.
Then get some valve grinding paste and smear some over the head of the plug, it will help with torque transmission and slow the rounding process down
I hope you haven't lost oil and overheated the diff.
My front diff suffered this fate when the passenger side oil seal let the lube out and the front pinion bearing collapsed from lack of lube causing the pinion to bend and lock the front end up.