Removing Rear Wheel Studs on Ford New Holland 655D Backhoe

[landrand]

I have a Ford New Holland 655D backhoe and I need to change eight rear wheel studs on one side. I tried using a small and then large sledge hammer and am not having any luck pounding out the studs. I haven't hit it with all my might, but I did try to hit it pretty hard. I hit it hard enough where I'm slightly deforming the end of the threaded stud. Before I proceed and accidental damage something, thought I'd ask the experts on recommendations on how to remove these studs as shown in the picture. They are not threaded studs.

Are there any tools, pneumatic or hydraulic, that can be used rather than a sledge hammer? I talked to a mechanic friend and he said you can heat them up, but it's not advised as the heat can damage the hub seals. This is the first time I'm replacing wheel studs so any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ericm979]

If you double-nut some nuts on there and leave the outer one slightly proud of the end of the stud, that will protect the threads.

But if you're changing them you don't need to care, except if you can't get them off and decide to put the wheel back on with the original studs. I try to not destroy things before they're removed, just in case.

Penetrating oil (I like Kroil), some heat, and maybe an air hammer might help. I'm leery of hammering too hard on shafts that are held by bearings when the force is going through the bearing.

Maybe there's a small automotive press like a ball joint press that would work to press the studs out.

 

[landrand]

If you double-nut some nuts on there and leave the outer one slightly proud of the end of the stud, that will protect the threads.

But if you're changing them you don't need to care, except if you can't get them off and decide to put the wheel back on with the original studs. I try to not destroy things before they're removed, just in case.

Penetrating oil (I like Kroil), some heat, and maybe an air hammer might help. I'm leery of hammering too hard on shafts that are held by bearings when the force is going through the bearing.

Maybe there's a small automotive press like a ball joint press that would work to press the studs out.

All the studs need to be replaced. Tomorrow, I'll try some penetrating oil and look into an air hammer. Thanks for the info.