Axel will not come out of transfer case when prying

1997 850 2.4 liter automatic non-turbo with 160,000 granny miles. I am replacing left side axle CV assembly per proceedures. The inner boot was tore
and bad. The inside joint came apart. I set it aside.
the shaft will not come out of the transfer case I am slightly prying on it to pop loose from snap ring. How hard should I pry and is there something I am missing?

7 hours latter
Ok wow would not pry off so I used a couple of wedges to have it come of straight wha la. Popped off the snap ring now to the other side is the same
deal with intermediate shaft bearing involved.