having a hard time removing the diff from my s14

SON240sx Automotive
1

ok so I want to remove the diff to swap it in with something else. so I figured unbolt everything and the diff will just plop out but NOOOOO…

i removed 4 bolts from the output shaft…
I removed the 12 bolts that’s connecting the two half shaft/axles to the diff
I removed the two big bolts that’s facing down that’s holding the diff to the frame
I removed the two nuts that’s holding the diff plate to the subframe

now everything is unbolted, the diff is ready to come out…BUT the axles aren’t separating from the diff.
Am I doing something wrong?

I thought that axles should separate from the diff because all the bolts are completely removed.
I looked up threads on other forums on how to remove the diff but no one really specifies or focuses on how to disconnect the axle from the diff…almost as if it doesn’t pose a problem or it disconnects without any force…

anyone have a clue?

oh I forgot to mention…

if I turn the axle, it will spin freely to the diff connection, so its connected but if you look at where the axle and diff connects while the axle is spinning. the bolt holes for the axle is in rotation but the bolt holes from the diff side is not moving but the freaking thing is still connected and I let go of the diff to a point where it was only held on by the totally unbolted axle connection to the diff…its like there is something inside of the axle it self that is connected to the differential

2

Hammer!!!

3

^+1 You shouldn’t need to smash, just tap, there is most likely a small amount of corrosion/metal migration that’s holding the axles on.

4

There is a grease shield in the end of the axle that will actually fit inside the axle stub on the diff that will hold it up from dropping out.The axle is spring loaded,stick something thin between the 2 flanges and pry gently to separate them then pull the axle toward the wheel and out of the flange on the diff(make sure the diff is supported so it doesn’t fall)