somehow after formatting my WD a couple of times (eventually back to its NTFS default), and plugging unplugging a blank USD thumdrive to the back of the router (which mounts with zero issue),
my WD finally mounted! :o Thanks RMerlin for the advice
Jun 17 11:34:16 kernel: usb 1-1.2: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 6
Jun 17 11:34:17 kernel: usb 1-1.2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Jun 17 11:34:17 kernel: scsi2 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
Jun 17 11:34:19 kernel: scsi 2:0:0:0: Direct-Access...