Front Differential Problems

Doing a major overhaul on my 97 GMC k1500 and the latest on the list of things to fix on it is the front driver differential seal is leaking. So I pulled my CV axle out and what I've been seeing is everyone says to pry on the stub shaft to pop it out or use a slide hammer, tried that to no avail. So I pulled the front differential completely out, tried beating on the stub shaft some more, still nothing, and finally split the case to see if I was missing something and there was something to take apart inside, and I'm seeing nothing. If I understand correctly, the snap ring in the stub shaft is in the carrier of the differential so the carrier won't come out if the axle won't come out and I'm to the point of beating my head against the wall. Has anyone come across a stubborn axle like this and have any tips or tricks to getting it out? I'm not incredibly keen on spending $300+ for a new axle so I can cut the thing to get it out. Any help is appreciated