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I have a 1995 F-150 4X4 with auto hubs, and I just replaced my drivers side upper and lower ball joints. This required removal of the drive shaft. What lock ring are you refering to? Once you take the hub cover off, there is a lock ring that I used a scribe and needle nose pliers, this will allow the outer hub piece to be removed. Next you will need to remove a c-ring, this is hard to see with all the grease, again use a scribe. next should be a washer and lock washer and finally the piece that fits into the shaft grove, remove this with needle nose pliers. Finally you can get at the wheel bearing hub nut, I had to buy a socket at autozone for $12, now the rotor will come off. This little pieces snap rings and such were a real pain in the a_ _. It took a lot of paitence. good luck.
I use the tip of my swiss army knife and a very, very small alan wrench. Use the tip of the knife to pull the end of the ring up out of the groove, and then hook it with the alan wrench. Works every time.