justin,
Those shafts can plug solid, and like you said, the stuff is nasty. The shaft ends that were to the center should be open, but the outboard ends are plugged. I don't remember what they are plugged with, maybe a small drive in soft plug affair.
The whole enchilada needs to be soaked in something like carburetor cleaner to soften and remove the crud. Removing the plug at the end of the shafts would be best, but not until you verify what is plugging them, and if a replacement is available. After removing the plug, you can 'rod' the bores with a coat hanger or something to help clear the gunk.
If you can find Toluene or Xylene in gallon cans at your local ACE hardware store, those items would be a winner to soak the stuff in.
Stuart
