What is the procedure for removing the rear axles. Are they actually driven out?

The axle or the half shaft?

the complete axle can be removed by unbolting the CV joints on each side ...

if you're talking about the half-shafts, you'll have to remove a circlip (sp?) and then remove the CV ( )
Andy

If your CV bolts are stock, you will need a triple-square socket to get the bolts off the flanges on the trans.

Outboard, you need a GINORMOUS socket to get the nut off of the axle at the hub. Anyone know the size off of the top of their head?

Undo those and you can pull the axles out pretty easily.

My "off the top of my head" guesstimation is that it was about a 1 1/4" or 1 3/16" socket. Metric to SAE conversion. =)

Thanks much...

If you have to use a hammer to remove the stubs from the hubs, remove the calipers first. Otherwise you run the risk of side loading the caliper mounts. This will crack them, thereby ruining the arm.
BTDT.