Well, I got it. Hopefully this thread helps somebody else in the future - my axle seal retaining ring was caught on a "lip" of corrosion (the only explaination I can offer) so it wouldn't slide out, only in. This made removing the knuckle with the axle in impossible with the balljoints in the...
Please help a newbie! I will be indebted to you and will do anything! I'm not new to wrenching but had never touched a full size truck much less my new to me 2000 7.3 Exc. I bought it needing the front left lower balljoint replaced and after a little research it seemed very straightforward...