I am a little confused as to what you have and have not done, and what you are actually trying to accomplish, so let me try again.

Are you intending to replace the ENTIRE CV axle on both sides (all the way to the diff)? Unless the inner joint is bad, you don't have to, you can pull the inner boot off of the can, remove a circlip from the inside lip of the can, and pull the outer part of the CV axle out of the can (along with a bunch of grease, have rags handy). They do sell replacement aftermarket axles that are made to replace just this outer part, and this job is MUCH simpler than trying to replace the entire axle all the way to the diff.

BUT, if you already have the center axle housing on the ground, meaning you removed those two large bolts holding the brackets to the frame on each side (and before that removed the knuckles etc. each side) you are halfway to replacing the entire axle anyway. Unbolt the bracket plate from the end of the housing tube on the driver side, and from the pumpkin on the pass. side.

Now there is a snap ring on the bearing as you mentioned, even with the snap ring off the bearing is on there snug but it will come off if you apply force to both sides and pry it up. Once the bearing is off there is another snap ring on the seal I think that also needs to come off to separate the CV axle from the bracket.

If you make it that far, then just reverse everything for reassembly. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />