After coping with non-functional automatic locking hubs on my '96 Ranger, I'm finally swapping them out for manual locking hubs. I bought Warn locking hubs and the spindle nut kit. My mechanic will install them for $250, but told me that it is an easy job and I could probably do it in a hour.

Following the instructions, I was able to remove the hublock body assembly, retaining ring, thrust washer set, and cam assembly in less than 10 minutes. I got to the lock key, and that's where I got stuck. I spent 2+ hours working at the thing with picks, knives, screwdrivers, tweezers, paperclips, and anything else I could think of, but it won't budge. Has anyone ever run into this problem or have any tricks to getting the stinking lock key out?

I hope to give this another go before just breaking down and paying the $250 to have a professional do this.

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Have you tried turning the big nut just a little each way to take pressure off of the key?

Thanks, @tomboy, I tried it, no luck. I don't understand why I'm having such a hard time with this.