What is the trick for removing the drivers side axle half?! The only way I see is to remove the shift link. The book says just take off the heat exchanger and that's it.

I've been told either remove the heat exchanger or remove the starter...I didn't have to do either. After removing the bolts on both sides and having the axle loose....i place a jack under the suspension arm and adjusted the arm up...and jammed the tranny side axle way up in the top..back...rear side of the tranny. I had to keep adjusting the swing arm until I had just enough clearance that it came off. I was able to put it in the same way.

Good luck!

Yes, remove the starter but not the heat exch. a little twisting and out she comes

Just trying to get 10 posts in a row before I go to bed