Kenmore Washer's Difficult Inner Basket Removal

We are trying to repair the leaks that are coming from the lower base of the outer metal basket or drum in our Kenmore washer and we have been following the steps to do so; however, after having removed the agitator, and the nut from the drive block we are finding it extremely difficult to remove the inner basket from the metal drum or basket so that we can remove the drive block. It is simply seized. We tried tapping the stem of the inner basket with a hammer, using penetrating oil to loosen the inner basket's stem from around the drive block and still it will not move. We would like someone to give us some advice on what we can do in this case. Please note that when we examined the inner basket's stem, a few inches bellow the top of the opening where the drive block's nut is located we noticed that there are two holes on the stem, opposite one to another and they are covered with rubber plugs. Nobody can tell me the purpose of the holes. Thank you for your help.

Jim