I began changing the drivers side diff seal. here are some pics. I 1. used impact to loosen hub nut, 2. wire brushed all nuts, bolts and brackets, 3. PB blasted nuts, bolts and brackets and let sit overnight, 4. removed cotter pins with needle nose pliers and vice grips, 4. loosened castle nuts with impact wrench and box end wrench and separated ball joints and tie rod end by all of the methods shown in pics. I am replacing both ball joints so I didn't worry about tearing up boots, but they came off with beating with hammer. I had my floor jack lifting up at the end of the lower control arm. This made it easier for the ball studs to pop out. 5. used gear puller to push CV joint in. 6. Loosened lower shock bolt for clearance. 7. I disconnected ABS sensor by unplugging elec connector behind splash guard, following the wire and unbolting three other bolts including one on the upper ball joint. I did this so I could remove spindle with wheel hub bearing attached. 8. Removed spindle. 9. Used large screwdriver to snap out CV joint from underneath the truck and pulled it out to expose diff cover with seal in it. I removed diff drain bolt. That's as far as I got today. Thanks to Captain Hook and everyone else who got back to me with all the right advice and knowledge.

 

some more pics.

 

Don't know if you're still around on this fourm but did you use the seal with the metal nubs on the back for the replacement or without? They sell two different kinds