The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Gear pinion help

Hello...1950 3100...I am trying to removal the axles and 3rd member but I have ran into a problem. The lock screw that holds in the pinion shaft is a round flat head screw. Everything I have read says it should be a square nut. No problem except I cannot get it out for anything..I am afraid I am going to strip it and be in a real mess. Is this original or perhaps someone has been in this axle before? Any suggestions on getting this out? Thinking of grinding two sides flat and putting vice grips on it but really do not want to do grinding around these type of parts. I don't have any real good way of heating it up either. I looked in the manual and I did not even see a torque tube style depicted?? Sorry should have taken a picture.. I will tomorrow if need be...attached is what it says it should be.
Thanks
Jason

Have you tried one of these? https://www.kleintools.com/sites/all/product_assets/catalog_imagery/klein/70220.jpg

Someone put a different screw in there they may have also put some lock tite also ,use a little heat to loosen the lock tite just in case

+1 on the impact screwdriver! I got one of these long ago and have used it A LOT more than I ever thought I would. Definitely in the top 5 of my most useful tools.

If you need any parts, I have the internals from my 47 rear end (4.11) that you can have.

It should be a typical nut head and it is very much a specialty screw...long, polished past the threaded part and unique. The one in mine is a hex head nut, for what it is worth. I'd guess somebody didn't have that screw, went to the hardware store and got something that sort of fit and as kevinski said added some loctite. Or possibly epoxy. Hard to say. You may have to drill a hole in it and use a screw extractor. Or as you said, grind or file two sides flat and use vise grips. If you have to do that, just place shop rags around and catch any filings. Good luck!

First try heat. Heat very hot and then let cool to give the heat time to migrate rather than just to the screw head. Heat a second time and try impact driver. Be careful as the "annealed" screw will strip out the slot easily. You may also try TWO ball pein hammers to break loose; one held with the flat face on the screw head and the second to whack the first.

Slotted head bolts were standard on early models.
I have been able to remove stubborn bolts with a small vice-grip.

Here is a pic...how would I know if someone changed the gear ratio before? Thanks for all the advice and offer on parts..very much appreciated..I was really just trying to take off as much stuff as possible to store and make easier to clean prior to paint. I didn't realize the brake shrouds were riveted on or I would not have even cracked this nut open trying to get axles out; but since I have taken the bolts off the third member I have now forced my hand at a new gasket....debating on doing the update on the gears...I haven't tried any of the suggestions yet but will hopefully tomorrow..thanks again...Jason

You could count the teeth to see what the ratio is ,it should also be stamped on the ring gear itself.