LB, there was much confusion on my part, which is why I listed the shop manual instructions line-by-line. I just searched this thread and the word compress was first used by me after the ordeal was over. And it appears that this was quite an important part of the removal process.

And FWIW, axles do not compress - they are the solid metal shafts running from the differentials to the hubs. What we've been talking about is the front propeller shaft - again, I think more confusion on the terminology.

When instructing other people, I've come to realize - "It's all about the details."

Sam