CV and tansaxle removal

Having problems with getting the transaxle to come all the way out from the passengers side front. Got most out ball to the joint and transaxle came out but the cv half shaft and boot remains connected to the gear box can't get the rest out, have tried all kinds of things, went and rented the slidehammer and CV u shaped plate to run rod to hammer through and still not budging, PLEASE HELP. THANK U SO MUCH any ideas are welcome at this point.P.S. Does the transition need to be in neutral there's a square rod in the middle of the gearbox, don't know if its having a bearing on things(pun). Any thoughts