It's been awhile since I've worked on a 540b but I'm pretty sure that you can run the right wheel up on a stump and you will get room to take the hose or hoses off on the left side,top of the diff. I don't remember ever having to drop the axle housing to work on those. Might need some offset or crowsfoot wrenches to get them off. I know it ain't easy, not much on a Deere is.