Removing hubs

[Sdude2008]

1999 4wd. I'm working on changing my ball joints. half way in I realized I need to take the knuckle/hub off the axle to gain clearance to unhook the knuckle from the old ball joint. I've replaced many axles on other cars and have always been able to clearly see the axle nut once I removed the cover. In this case I have removed the locking hub unit and I can see into the hub where the axle is sticking through but I cannot see any axle nut. What am i doing wrong or what else do I need to do. I've searched and watched videos and they all show the axle nut right there.

Back bolts? ugh


Thanks

 

[JoshT]

No axle nut on 98-2000 Ranger 4wd, but there may be a snap ring in there. The nut is on Explorers and the later live axle Rangers.