Front axle won't come out!

Ok guys, I've read all I can about the needle bearing and the removal of the cv axle, boot replacement, and anything to do with the front end. I've now had 3 failed attempts at removing the axle. I've tried the cable and sledgehammer( broke the 200lb cable twice) tried slide hammer with 1 clip and a hose clamp( didn't move) bought a CV puller for the slide hammer, didn't work either.
Has anyone come across this? Any ideas why it won't release?
Thanks in advance.

 

I use a metal punch to pop it loose and then the pry bar to get it out the rest of the way.

Be careful not to damage the metal seals on the CV axle as you pry it out.

 

pry bar took like 5 minutes for both sides

 

I stopped by a shop today, that has a few Tacoma guys, and he mentioned the punch through the diff from the passenger side. I guess I'll be trying that next....

 

How can you punch it through the diff without removing the other axle first? Cable trick did it for me, but sounds like yours is pretty stuck.

Also, I'm in St Louis too, what shop has Tacoma guys? Haven't been too happy with the places I've been so far for alignments.

 

^^^^^^^^^

 

so much help, awesome post! haha shat, now i'm posting useless crap too.

 

FWIW, there is supposed to be a sweet spot when you are using a pry bar. Pry, rotate the axel 1/6 turn, and repeat till you find the sweet spot. I didn't know this, pryed like mad without turning, and couldn't budge it. The slide hammer with hose clamp worked for me. Good luck.

 

This is the shop I stopped by
http://autorepairstcharles.net/index.html
They are by New Town in ST. Charles

 

It helps if the axle is as straight as possible both for removal as well as installation . If there is any side loading on the axle while trying to remove it , its not going to come out . Needs to be straight and relaxed in order for the retention ring to collapse properly .
You may have a retention ring groove that is worn down or the retention ring is having issues trying to collapse .

 

Thanks I try. Just reiterating the pry bar, worked like a charm for me.