At last I got the opportunity to crawl under and check the rear axle oil level.
Oil level plug is a 1-5/16" Hex and when I did the front axle I had to jump on my longest breaker bar from the 3/4" square set and even then it was a struggle to unscrew it. (Tapered BSP thread).
So I'd planned all sorts of strategies to get the rear one undone, as being between the wheels and well underneath there was certainly no room for jumping! So - Jack under far end of breaker bar, or make extended 3/4" extension to bring it to 'out from under', or . . . . well what, and to honest this 'or what' had been making me procrastinate.
In the end I thought - 'OK get get under there and try it'. Well legs braced against near side wheel, firm grip, give it your all. No not enough oomph
![:bang:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/BangHead.gif)
So before dragging out the jacks etc, in one last effort, I got my biggest 'rubber dead blow hammer' and whacked it with all my might. Not easy lying on the floor in a cramped space . . . . but, hey hang on, was that movement or am I about to skin my knuckles as the socket comes off the hex plug. Another try, and yes, we HAVE movement.
Now bear in mind all I'm doing is checking the level, drip bucket underneath, take it out, and . . . . . it's grossly over filled
![:lol:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/kranke_200-1.gif)
Better over filled than empty, and the fact I'd bought oil in advance matters not a jot as it WILL be used in the future, but that at least is the rear axle and its epicyclic hub gear boxes done
![:thumbup:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/happy0034.gif)
Not done the front epicylic boxes as I need a 'banksman' to tell me when the level plug is on the horizontal as I drive back and forth. I did try the other day lifting the front on the front shovel so the wheels are off the ground, and turning the wheels by hand, then lowering back to earth, but having the differential between them, as you spin one it turns the other in the opposite direction. Wedging one wheel 'almost' worked, but then the act of lowering back to earth, because of the geometry, turns the wheels. I'll have to be patient and wait for a hapless passing soul to grab
![:thumbup:](https://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/happy0034.gif)