Special tools to service 4X4 wheel bearings?

[AirSpeed]

I want to repack the wheel bearings on the front of my 72 GMC 4X4, my manual mentions a special wrench to remove a retaining nut under the locking hub assembly. It says it's "difficult" without it. Am I going to need this wrench or is it possible to do without it? Any other helpful hints would be appreciated. I have done many wheel bearings but never on a 4X front axle. Thanks!
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[Walts_restoration]

Yes, your gonna need it. Go to orileys or wherever and it should be on the shelf. Should have 4 prongs. The best tool to get is the one that has a steel ring around the 4 prongs, you'll pull the outside lock nut off, should be very tight. Then a cross shaped washer with pin holes in it, and then finally an innter nut with a pin towards the outside. Both nuts are the same size.

[Walts_restoration]

[LONGHAIR]

Technically the ones with the 4 tabs sticking out are from a truck with automatic hubs, so don't be surprised if they aren't there. The lock ring should simply be round with one tab on the inner diameter, which keys it to the slot in the spindle.
It doesn't hurt anything if they are there, they just don't do anything w/o the auto hubs.

Be very carefull when you put the lock ring back together. The pin from the inner nut has to fit into one of the holes in the washer, be sure that is sits flat over the pin. If it does not fit the first time, turn the washer over, the holes are off-set from the inner tab. If it still doesn't fit, loosen the nut very slightly and try again. Remember that the outer nut will add a bit more pressure as it takes up the slack in the thread fit.

[AirSpeed]

Thanks everyone! Good info! I went to NAPA and picked up the socket, I'm going to have to use my own judgment instead of a torque wrench!
Thanks for the help! Aaron
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[AirSpeed]

I was thinking of doing this today but I didnt think about picking up new seals and the parts store is closed, is it possible to reuse the old seals or should I put it off till I buy new seals? It sucks living in a small town!
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[Maxxd07]

Yes you need the special socket. The nuts have 4 notches that are about impossible to take off with a punch if the outer nut is as tight as it should be and besides the nut would get all beat up and the socket wouldnt work on it after it was beat up anyways.

[powerdriver 1958]

Wait on the fresh Seals , Only thing worse than doing a dirty job is having to do it twice .

[AirSpeed]

Glad I waited till today, My wheel bearings were trash! So was the seal. The special socket was well worth the ten bucks I paid, it would have been horrible setting up the right tension on the bearings without it! Thanks again for all the advice everyone, it made the job that much easier.
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[domeier]

What's the brand and part number of the special socket?

Thanks