Try it. The stub shaft cant really go that far back anyway. Half the time when I've taken the hub covers off, the damn clip is already off just sitting there in the grease. Let it float and see what happens. The worst you can do is strip the splines or maybe the hub splines. It may be there to keep the wheel seals in the knuckle riding on the right surface.

99 Gen 2.5, fixing blown head gasket
89 SWB- 33's, ARB Front locker, SR rear locker/axle, SR F brakes, winch, WST Offroad Armor all Around, 2.85 Aussie T-case Gears (SOLD)
Sold: (2) 95 SR's, 86 SWB, 90LWB, 91 LWB
-Can Change a timing belt in my sleep..