LOL Lakersfan. The booze is why the BFH was brought out
I had the knuckle off and even brought to A-zone- no help, said needed to be pressed out. I've done rear ends before and the pinion is "press fit", but careful tapping seats it fine... figure same here. If too snug the old freeze, heat trick works good too.
Oh, and yes the nut was removed (other than this one typing) and the 3 bolts loosened.