trouble getting axle out

Trying to R/R the passenger side axle. 99 Diamante.

Can't get it out of the tranny.

The last two steps in the shop manual are:
- hammer on the mounting bracket
- pry at the transaxle

When I hammered on the bracket, the axle moved maybe 1/8" at most, which doesn't give much gap to pry from at the tranny. Prying isn't doing much. Moves very little, then moves back in when I release the pressure.

How hard am I supposed to beat on it, and/or how hard should I have to pry on it?

Why kind of pry bar do people usually use?

Thanks for your help.