Hey 85,
Don't feel like you got a lemon. This is a very common maintanence proceedure with these trucks. No it's not like changing sparkplugs, but it's not like working on a transmission either. That one little axle seal that you gotta replace is way in there, so we pretty much clean/inspect everything along the way anyway. You'll know your front end's true condition when finished too.
Like stated before, it's not that difficult - just messy. Good luck.

'80 4X4 Longbed