HELP, rear drive shaft removal.

[rust]

1996 Sportsman 500, I need to remove the rear drive shaft so that I can install new universal joints. I have everything free, I have backed the bolt back as far as I can- that holds the joint (shaft) in the transmission, I am having an issue with removing the joint (shaft) from the transmission. How much force is required?? Is there a special tool required? any hints on how to pull it from the transmission would be greatly appreciated.
I have tried pulling by hand- and it is not moving at all.
You can post information on the forum, or e-mail me at Russtt@nb.sympatico.ca

Thanks

[rust]

I gave up on trying to remove the yokes from the transmission.
I was able to change the inner universal without removing the yoke. I had to remove a lot of parts around the area- so I had room to use a press type universal joint removal tool.
I changed two u joints- inner on the right side and outer on the left side, the other two were OK.
Glad that is over with, it took a few hours, but it also gave me a chance to inspect all the suspension parts- all OK !
rust

[pony]

glad ya gotter done ......