Axle removal advice...

I'm in the process of removing the rear axles and I have a issue with the driver side, it's not coming out. I tried the turned around drum thing which worked for the pasenger side but the driver side is stuck... I plan on renting a slide hammer from Autozone tomarrow but is there another way?
What would/could I do to see if my bearings need to be replaced?

I'm doing this because there has been a hum that went along with tire rotations and when I had the tires and drums off and rotated the axles something sounded tearable kinda a grind/crunch sound... hard to tell exactly where it was coming from but it seemed like it was coming from thet axle bearings...

 

I used a chain hooked to a 20 pound weight it took a couple times but I managed to get it out

 

propane torch ,heat the metal around the gearing then slide hammer works every time

 

The ones I had rusted together around the center.

I used Muriatic acid and a paint brush to eat off all the rust. Once the rust was gone both drum slid right off.

 

Slide hammer is the best. Check the ujoints while the rear is up.

 

usualy when an axle is that hard to remove its a combination of rust and the housing being bent.

 

I got it off with a slide hammer. it was rusted on, I cleaned the housing with a wire brush on my drill... should I coate the bearing and bearing seat with diff lube to prevent rust? thanks everyone.

 

I did. ..