As far as the groove you have in the first pic, all I can say is that mine was not like that when I pulled it out. With regards to what needs to be done, Trannyman will have to comment on that.

On the ring gear, I dont know where they got the 'just lift it out' instructions from, but it wasnt happening with mine. I had to 'encourage' it to want to come out with a block of wood and a dead blow hammer.

By the way, what are you using to stand your case upwright like that?