Im am trying to remove the rear diff on a 2002 mountaineer and the axels wont come out. is there any special way to remove them or should they just slide out of the diff.

Hello! there is a special tool that i use to get the axles out but it can be done using another method. the axle shafts are retained by a circlip on the inner joint where it splines to the rear differential. this circlip is not accessable. the alternate way to remove these is a large prybar placed between the inner joint and the rear diff housing. using care not to damage housing or seal you sharply pry on axle toward outside(wheel well)area. this may take several attempts but should come out. just be careful not to damage case. worst case scenario the tool is available for purchase from your local tool supplier. Hope this information was useful to you and good luck.

IT would not be an easy job, you would need to remove the rear wheel hub/bearing/ holder assembly. you need to split the ball joint and tremove tie rod to do that, then slide the unit out a few inches to get room to pull the half shaft out. not extremely difficult, but takes about 3 hands. Hope this helps