Inner CV joint stuck in trans

[rev_rock]

I've got a '96 Geo Prizm w/auto trans. I've had Tokico struts w/Eibach springs on it for a couple years, and am going back to stock struts/springs. I've had a slight clicking sound when taking off and turning, so figured I'd change out the axle while I was at it. Well, when I pulled the stut, the axle nearly fell out of the inner cv joint, so now I've got the inner cv 'tulip' stuck in the trans and can't get the stupid thing out. I've pried, pulled, wiggled, and nothing works to get the thing out. Has anyone ever had this problem? I checked with the local Autozone to see if that had a puller, but no luck.

Any suggestions?

[rev_rock]

Never mind. I finally got two short pry bars on each side of it and rocked it back and forth enough that it came out.

[speedy25]

You found my secret!

-SP

[rev_rock]

Well, when it rains, it pours! After getting the new shaft in, I discovered that I had a transmission fluid leak (it's a 3-speed auto, by the way). When I jacked up the car and tried to check to see if it was the seal where the CV axle goes into the trans, the reman axle came apart in the same darned place as the original!! Knowing how to get it out, I wiggled with my trusty pry bars and got it out. I can see that the seal is torn at the bottom. My question now is: is this called the "output shaft seal"? If so, I think I can probably change it out without any problems. I just want to make sure I get the right thing! What a pain this has become!!