I am trying to change the CV boots on my right side driveaxle, but....

I can't get the !@#$%@% driveaxle out!!!!

I am following the Haynes Repair Manual for my car (850), which has been only of little help! (Normally, Haynes has been good to me----but for THIS topic----they screwed up BIG time!; i.e., they list the driveaxle nut size as WAY too small for the ACTUAL size that it is, etc.)

Haynes also makes it sound like "Oh, all you've got to do is pull the driveaxle out of the hub flange, blah blah blah...". What they DON'T bother to mention is how FREAKING HARD it is to actually do this (at least with the method THEY describe). Also, they say that due to the position of the transaxle, the RIGHT side driveaxle is fitted with an "intermediate shaft", which is integral to the inner cv joint of the right driveaxle. They say to remove the support clamp for the intermediate shaft, and then pivot the steering knuckle "OUTWARD" so as to remove the outer cv joint from the hub flange. They also say to remove the intermediate shaft from the transaxle.

What they FAIL TO MENTION, however, is:

1) When you pull the intermediate shaft out of the transaxle, the tranny fluid drains out of the gigantic opening (NO mention of that anywhere in the manual.); so, is that okay, or do I have to worry about draining the entire tranny?

2) You can pivot, pull, poke, and even curse at the steering knuckle, etc., but that outer CV joint DOES NOT want to come out of the hub flange!

Soooo.... my questions are:

1) Do I ACTUALLY REMOVE the intermediate shaft completely from the transaxle? And, if so, do I have to worry about inadvertently draining all the fluid from the tranny? (It would appear as I actually DO have to completely remove it----based on both what the manual suggests, and from the fact that it DOES appear that the intermediate shaft is integral to the inner CV joint.)

2) HOW----pray tell----to I REALLY get the outer CV joint OUT, free and clear of the hub flange??? There just doesn't seem to be enough clearance (i.e free play) for me to remove the outer CV joint ALL the way out from the steering knuckle assembly / hub flange; at least, not with the method suggested by Haynes.

Any tricks, tips, or suggestions? Voodoo?

Thanks!