If you are not going to replace the birf, no need to take off the hub gear snap ring. You just want to pull out the enitre axle to get the 3rd out. the birf can stay in the knuckle.
Makes sense to me. ?
good tip. If your brake line is long enough just pull the steering arm and the felts and pull the knuckle w/ axle out a little. Never thought to try it, but it should work.
