Help taking apart nose gear strut

[Skymaster337B]

Anyone ever take apart the nose gear strut to replace the packings? I read and followed the manual to remove lower strut....split the sisors, take out snap ring and pull down really hard. After trying, it didn't pop out of the upper strut. I'm obviously missing a lock ring some place, and the manual mentions an access hole to a lock ring. Need help locating access to the lock ring.

Thanks,

Rob