Originally Posted by Y2KW57

Had to look at your profile after this post, and yup, as suspected, you have a 2004 model. The 1999-2004 front hub snap rings are indeed as easy as you say.

The coil sprung, wider track 2005 and up Super Duties have front hub snap rings that are much more difficult to engage, as they sit in a different style and diameter of hub, engaging a different style and diameter of stub axle. There isn't nearly the open space surrounding the stub axle to work with within the hub collar. It is completely different set up in that regard than the preceding year.