I thought home freezers ran about 0f --- if diff fluid turned into gel at that temp, the guys in Montana - UP - Minnesota - etc would have no lubrication all winter, no?

Since this discussion turned towards the drain and fill holes in the third member... I would like to suggest the pictures I posted a couple of years ago....
they are in thread 937608
or use the advanced search with my name as poster and ' come along' as the word... and look at thread from 5-08-2004 titled Help needed W123 axles....
which also turned to the fill and drain plugs being stubborn...
I consider it an elegant solution to apply controlled force when laying flat on your stomach in the proper direction with simple tools...

I managed to finally apply enough force to remove the filler plug. This was accomplished by following fellow board members advice. Basically I set the socket wrench straight down and used two feet and leg pressed the SOB loose. Fill plug came outMUCH easier. Fluid was pretty nasty and filthy, glad to have replaced it.

Again - thanks to the most excellent and practical advice from board members.

And for the record, freezing the fluid was meant to be a joke.

__________________
Chris
1983 300SD Cypress Green
1984 300 Turbo Diesel Petrol Blue Green (Sold...)