[Ryan685]

The axle has to go in before the C-clip can be removed. It's been many years ago that I've had one of these axles that needed to be hammered on. I used a 15lb sledge hammer..... What happened to that axle, sounds like what has happened with yours. The bearing ate into the axle and "mushroomed" the axle so it couldn't easily go back through the bearing without some help. Once the axle was beat in and the C-clip removed. I had to put the tire back on the axle for added leverage to pull the axle out. There is no other way to get it apart. As you mention about the passanger side, the axle pushed in easily so you could get the C-clip out. The cause would be my main concern. As a mechanic I like to solve mysteries so history doesn't repeat itself. Roads are "crowned" so water drains off to one side into drain gutters. Normally your truck goes down the street leaning more to the left (passanger) side. It's not much, maybe 3 to 5 degrees. So the drivers side is higher then the passanger side. Rear end grease, like water, runs downhill. Make sure after this rebuild, when filling the rear end with grease. To wait and allow the grease to run out to the ends of the axles as you are adding the grease. I like to overfill a little by holding my finger under the large fill hole so it acts like a dam. Then you have to have the plug at the ready and quickly screw it in. I guess I'm trying to say the drivers side axle bearing may have not been getting grease. After you get it apart, inspect the axle shaft for evidence of bluing. A good indicator of dry bearing syndrome.