127 rear end oil change
 

So I am having some issues with my oil change. So far I did not intend to change my oil but when I removed bolts to add the gear box oil started to poor through the holes and when I tried putting the bolts back in there would only go back in about half way. So I have some questions:

Are all the bolts holding the cover on suppose to be the same length? I have 2 different sizes.

Also I can not get the oil filter off, I assume it's just the normal filter that screws on but I can not tell. I got the replacement 1410 filter from
NAPA and it looks like I should screw off.

The oil that was in it was cleaner than I thought, should I just leave the oil filter I have on it there?

if anyone knows the correct length of bolts that should be in the rear end without me looking through pages of manuals would be helpful.

Try to get the wrench to remove the filter closer to the pump, It will come off.
As for the bolts I do not want to look either, but they all should be the same length though...

I just end up squishing/denting the filter, could you elaborate on that?

The upper bolts should be 5/8" long
The three lower bolts should be 1/4 longer as in 7/8" to allow for the thickness of the hitch plate.

DO NOT install bolts that are TOO LONG, you will break out the casting inside.
Take a look at them, you already have the cover off.

From the looks of the bolts in your picture, some are WAAAY TOOO LONG and busted out one or more of the tapped cones inside the case and that's what's causing the leak.

Hitch bolts for the tiller plate are longer. Easy to figure it out, but like finsruskw said, don't use too long of ones.

Put in new oil.

Use a filter wrench, but it close to the base of the filter. It unscrews. Turn it the right way. Don't use the filter wrench to install the new one. Sometimes filters get stuck. It happens.

The last time I changed one of those filters, I used an adjustable cloth strap wrench and a ratchet and ended up collapsing the filter.

Next time, I will use a regular metal strap oil filter wrench with the built in handle. Like this. http://bidatools.com/wp-content/uplo...Cap-Wrench.jpg

That is what I tried using but I couldn't get it on, there was enough room to squeeze it past, I didn't look what was in the way. I'll have to look, I'm off to work for the day.

Here's the dang thing. And yes ik something broke and i just discovered it, not sure how someone managed to break it.

I see an old filter, but I don't see anything broke.... :Unknown:

Did you have a question? Looks like a stuck filter. Keep working at it. I've had to chisel them off before.

Looks like a broken rockshaft to me....