Cant get rear lugs off

[ctjstr]

From my experience, its not the taking apart with air that causes damage, but the re-assembly. What's the old saying, "Apart with air, together with care." Something like that. Stretching studs or bolts just sets you up for later problems, and that's way more likely when you try and tighten something with air, rather then with a torque wrench.

 

[AndyMA]

Guys that talk themselves into doing without a 3/4 drive set don't know what they are missing. There is a lengthy thread on exactly this topic elsewhere. It isn't necessary to spend big bucks for a premuim set for occaisional use.

I agree with that. I pick up my 3/4 Craftsman set many years ago via mailorder for about $100 and added the missing sizes to it over time. I use it quite often and when I use it I don't get hurt like I do when I push a 1/2 inch set.

Andy

 

[Soundguy]

I ditto that. I invested in a set of pneumatic ratchets and impact guns but hardly ever use it. On stubborn nut and bolts, I just want to take them out without damage... doing in 10 quick seconds with an impact gun buys me nothing.... I rather take 5 minutes and get it done right once so I will not be ending up spending much time and $$$ to repair the 10 second work.

JC,

I think the danger with impact guns is with putting things together.. vs taking them apart... etc.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

From my experience, its not the taking apart with air that causes damage, but the re-assembly. What's the old saying, "Apart with air, together with care." Something like that. Stretching studs or bolts just sets you up for later problems, and that's way more likely when you try and tighten something with air, rather then with a torque wrench.

Ya beat me to it!

Soundguy

 

[JC-jetro]

I think the danger with impact guns is with putting things together.. vs taking them apart... etc.

Soundguy

Agreed. Your point is well taken. I guess my point was that I like to get a good and solid grip of things before I start the pneumatic fast action. Hate to be pulling trigger for a while and then realize I just rounded a nut or bolt head off
I do have all my impact socket in 6 points rather than 12 points though so that should help.

JC

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. i like 6pt sockets anywhere i can use them..

soundguy

 

[Gator6x4]

Thanks very much for the thoughtful replies. Its a great community here and very helpful for a new tractor owner like me. I did pick up a 26mm socket and breaker bar at a local store since I needed a 1/2 breaker bar anyway. I will grab the 3/4 set in the near future. I used a 4' pipe and with my 270 lbs was able to turn the lugs. I used some PB blaster penetrant to assist. After a few turns it started to loosen, so I used my impact gun to further things along. Unfortunately the bolt just spun in the hub so i guess the threads are stripped I quit there since my reason for removing the tires was to paint the rims front and back. I painted the outsides and called it a day. I will soak the lugs from hub and try again in the future. I may have to use heat for the assist.

If the lug nut bolt is spinning you may have to take a Dremel Tool and split the nut to get the nut off. I would hate to purchase a "Nut Buster" for a 26mm nut. Oversize lug nut bolts are available. The oversize portion is the part that fits in the hub. The nut is the same size. I would as Soundguy stated not spin the bolt too much as this will create a large hole in the hub. I also have seen the standard lug nut bolt replaced by a high grade nut and bolt. Tractors are not like cars or trucks you usually have access to the rear of the bolt.

 

[MrJimi]

This is sad just to paint wheels
Jim

 

[chh]

Don't you just hate it when a simple little job like painting wheels turns into a major hassle like this? I had a lug bolt on an F-250 spin several years ago when getting new tires put on. I came back to pick the truck back up and the guy complains that it took him a half hour to put that "one" lug nut back on. It started spinning right after he started the nut back on, but being a dedicated mechanic and tire salesman with his trusty impact he kept working till he go it all the way down. Don't ask me how he did it, I don't know. I gave it the 10 second rule before I asked him how I was supposed to get it back off if I had a flat. He just sat there with a "Duh, I never thought of that look" on his face. We argued and fussed over it, but I ended up taking it the way it was. It was a ranch truck and we traded it in about a year later without having to find out the answer to that question.

So just be real careful with the impacts guys.

 

[MikeD74T]

If you're going to work on the tough stuff you can't do better than a torque multiplier. X4 torque multiplier Let's your 1/2" drive get the most from your 3/4" sockets without the strain on your body. Easy to find on the unmentionable auction site. MikeD74t