Thanks guys! Actually TBIRD, your explanation made it sound very easy... the problem was in the execution and you guys will probably love this one.
Got the cover off, put it in neutral and turned the hub to align the pin just so, to get at lock bolt and push the pin past the rear sway bar. I pushed the axles in and saw the c-clip. However, I couldn't for love nor money get the clip to drop out. I tried prying, pushing, tapping and more than a little cussing for well over an hour on both axles. To me it seemed that even though the axles pushed in there wasn't enough clearance to fully get the C-clip out of the pinion gear recess, just by a C-hair!
Well, after a break I went back and discovered that my "perfect" alignment to get the gear pin out placed the backside of a wheel stud directly over the parking brake mounting block (I have rear disks with parking brake drum) keeping the axle from going in enough... on both axles no less! A little turn clockwise and both C-clips dropped out almost on their own. Needless to say, I was chagrined about wasting a whole mornings work. Doh!
Thanks again
