99 driveline removal, what am I doing wrong

I'm trying to pull my engine and I can't get the drivelines off. I have a manual. Says take off nut, steering ball joint, turn wheel and remove. It doesn't work, but I'm past that point now. Now I have an engine hanging on my hoist with both drivelines out of wheels, but neither one will come out of transaxle. Book says pry out. What is going on? And for someone trying to repair a boot, good luck. I couldn't get either axle loose until I lifted engine. Im I just stupid or what? This is my first front wheel drive car and probably my last. This shouldn't be that difficult. Please help, my hoist isn't going to like holding this engine forever.

Hold on their bud DO NOT remove both drive axles at the same time. If you do the splines will collapse in the tranny and it will need some work. I had a hard time getting the drive axle out. I ended up making a slide hammer to get it out. I used a piece of all thread with a nut on one end with a few big washers up against the nut. Then I found a 5-6 block of steel with a hole in it and slide the all thread through. Now you just need to figure out how to attach it to the axle. On mine the boot had burst on the joint and I ground the end of the all thread down like the bolt on a pair of vice grips. Then I threaded the all thread on the vice grips and clamped it to the cup on the joint. Now once you get it out (this might Several hit) you need to get a little insert (will get back with you on where to get them) and put it in the splines. Then you do the same thing on the other side and put the insert it.

If you have and more question let me know

Robert

Thanks for the reply. the slide hammer is a great idea. I actually got mine out yesterday using a ball joint remover and a small sledgehammer. I damaged the little metal collar on the axle a little, but not too bad. Besides, I'm replacing the passanger axle anyway. I couldn't get the drivers side axle until I removed the engine and had better access. The slide hammer would have worked better with less damage.

Thanks again

I've pulled about 4-5 Escort motor's with leaving the tranny's in the car and axels left alone. If you unbolt the drivers side tranny mount you can swing the motor/tranny just enough to pull the motor out with out the tranny.

Thats a hot tip. Hopefully I won't need to pull this motor for a long time. My new engine (20,000 miles) is up and running. On this swap, I had to get the axles out anyway. Boot replacement on passanger side and new transaxle seal on drivers side. But if I didn't need to, I certainly won't pull the tranny out next time. What a pain in the ass. Thanks again for the tip.