Normal
Cxyz as said, you should not need the hub and basket off to pull the rod, however, you should be ABLE to get the basket off just as a fundamental service. I suppose after you remove the basket you will have more rod to bite on for removal. Don't worry about flaming oil. Do to have a breaker bar? I certainly hope you haven't been hitting that with an impact driver. Heat that bad boy initial 20 sec and try it and 10 sec intervals between subsequent tries. It will come off