This is hilarious. I didn't mean to cause an argument. And I don't mind the safety cautions, as I'm fairly certain Darwin based his theories on some of the mechanics in my area.
FYI, I finished the job today. It's a 2008 model. If you've never done a rear axle bearing or seal repair on a 2500 or 3500 its an easy job. Only hard part for me was getting the parking break cable off and back on, as I needed to replace brake parts and not the bearings. Oh, and getting up out of the floor every time I got down on my knees wasn't easy either.
For anyone who didn't under stand the question, on my 2500 the rear end has floating axles. To remove the parking brake backer plate you have to remove the axle and then the wheel spindle which is held on by a spindle nut.
The spindle nut is a round ~2 5/8in ring that is threaded to screw onto the rear spindle shaft to retain the bearings. It has 6 holes around it and requires a special socket to re-install it. The socket has 6 "lugs" about 1/4" long that fit into the holes in the nut.
I wanted to buy the socket rather than use the tool from O'reilly's as I have a grandson who is attending Ford service school and would appreciate any special tools I give him.
Another FYI, Chevy place estimated $350 labor plus parts which would have been around $600 total. I bought GM and ACDELCO parts online plus several odds and ends from O'reilly's with total cost of about $95. That included the $18 socket. That and my knowing exactly what was done is why I do it myself.
