Don't worry. You'll figure it out!
You've found the transmission's drain plug. If you can't loosen it, the fluid will come out when you pop out an axle.
You need to remove both axles. And before you can do that, you need to separate both ball joints from their respective hub assemblies. (Because you pull the hub away from the axle more than pulling the axle from the hub.) Then you use a big flat screwdriver or pry bar to pop the axle out of the transmission.
As for heat, I just point it at the thing that's stuck, get it good & hot, and then whale on it with a big hammer. (Might help to lay a piece of wood on the back side of the rim and hit it in that direction.)
Too bad you don't live around here - I'd be over in a heartbeat to help!