2008 S60, 210k miles. I 'm trying to change both CV axles for the second time on this car. Passenger side went fine. Driver's side is a huge problem. The last time I changed it I had to very carefully drive a tapered chisel between the transaxle housing and the barrel on the CV axle as simply prying it with a bar would not budge it. I didn't like using the chisel for fear of cracking the trans housing but again I was careful and it worked. This time the axle is not coming out. It seems odd that the retainer clip on the spline has a retainer clip that is square in cross section and not round. I have to think that square shape is not conducive to it moving out of the receiving groove in the female spline it sets in. It seems to me a round profile would be a better design I think. I've sprayed penetrant in but I highly doubt it's gettin to the problem area. I looked into the transaxle where the right side shaft enters hoping to see the end of the left side axle but it appears there's a flat plate in the way of seeing the end of the left axle. I was hoping to be able to drive it out from that side. So.............what tips and tricks do you have to get this axle out?

 

You just need enough force from two sides to pop that clip. had the same issue, but for me using 2 extra large flat tipped screwdrivers in the 4 and 8 o clock position more or less. you do need to pry very hard. when you think you are prying as hard as you can go a little further and it should pop out. just keep attempting it as well. took me well over a hour of prying

 

I had this problem with a 02 S60 on the drivers side. I cut the inner boot and pulled the axle shaft apart, leaving only the cup and inner shaft in the transmission. I then took a slide hammer with a pair of vise grips attached and clamped it to the cup firmly. A couple pulls on the slide hammer and out came the shaft. If you do it right there will be no damage to the cup if you plan to rebuild the axle. If you wish to replace the axle shaft with new, you have that option as well. Good luck.