thanks for the reply... since my post in june i have already replaced the axle... i caught my ford dealer mechanic sittin down on the job, he was hungry and needed somethin to do.... he offerd to put my axle in for $50.. i asked him what he was waitin for... 45 min or so later he was finished... the outer hub wasnt froze and the inner hub snapped out easily... he was $50 richer and i hadnt had to lay in my garage all afternoon... it was a match made in heaven!! thanks for the reply!!