CV axle removal, help! Options

[chaynes]

I need to replace my CV axles. Actually, the boots are bad, and the joints seem fine, but I'm afraid the task of taking apart the joints to replace the boots will be more than I want to do. So i picked up some CV axles from napa last weekend. I had the car up on the lift with the outer joint disconnected from the hub, and I couldn't separate the inner joint from the tranny! I tried prying on the tulip, like illustrated in the BGB, but to no avail. Also, prying against the tranny seems like a bad idea. Anyone have any hints as to how to get that thing out? I only tried the drivers side and failed, so i didn't even attempt the passenger side.....


BTW, the dealership wants $580 to replace the boots in case you were wondering.

[chaynes]

808 Celica: Car is a manual. I bought the CV axles from NAPA, about $50 each (+ core). The problem is getting the shaft out, in the service manuals it shows that you pry under the tulip against the tranny. I pried on it for about an hour before giving up. I guess those snap rings can be a bear to loosen...I was almost to the point of getting the 3 point puller and slide hammer out. I'm afraid this may damage the tranny/diff too!

One other thing, on the passenger side CV shaft, there is a damper about half way down the shaft. You can see it in this pic:


I ordered the axle at oreillys originally, and it didn't come with the damper. They told me it was balanced from the factory, and that it didn't need it, but i'm pretty sure it is there for a reason