tranny swap

Hi, i have a 95 aspire, runs great, but tranny only has third and reverse gear. I have started a tranny swap. Just wondering about how to get the drive axles out. Manual says its not necessary to pull the axles out of the hubs, but I can't figure how to get them to clear the transmision. Do I have to take the ball joints loose? Anyone have any advice on this swap, thanks for any information..

Yes...undo the lower ball joints, Remove the sway bar endlinks, remove the tie rod off the hubs. You should then be able to pry out the axleshafts. Special tools needed will be a big hammer, a ball joint seperator and a small pry bar for the axles...floor jack