Blew out the front differential after it didn't shift from 4 to 2 going from mud to pavement.  My own fault for not looking down to make sure.  Anyway, got the replacement differential and have the front end disassembled, but having trouble getting the left side axle out (yanked the heck out of it), but that's not my biggest problem, I can't get the broken differential up and out of the frame.  I disconnected from the drive shaft (bolts out but still stuck by will or by rust), and all the mounting bolts are out.. just can't figure out the right geometry to get it out.  Any experience / wisdom would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks. 

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Man I have had people say it was cake to a MF'er. The first thing that does have to happen is that axle has to come out. To do that the retainer clip on the end had to hit the ramp on the inside of the carrier hard enough to compress it and come out. Sometimes it a matter of rotating it while pushing in real hard 1/4 turns then popping it hard outward until you find the right spot for the clip's open gap. Others have been able to go throgh the other side with a long extension and set it on the center of the axle and smack it with a hammer.

If all mounts and drive line are loose it should slide up and out of the mounting tabs enough to work it toward the driver's side where people have said they have removed the upper a-arm and worked it through there. Not sure where you have to disconnect the actuator but that also has to be done or remove the actuator itself.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck...and patience prevails...lol 

Thank you.. I have the a arms pulled up and out of the way / dropped down.. I think I can get it over the mounts, just a bear to find just the right spot.  I was hoping to get the axle out after I removed, but you might be on to something with making it easier to maneuver.  Yes.. I have to disconnect the actuator .. thanks again.. will post what I learn to help others (like the only way to get knuckles off is to beat the knuckle by the pin with a metal hammer.  My mechanic neighbor told me that, said don't hit the pins, hit the knuckle and the momentary disformation of hole makes the tapper pin release...

Man I have had people say it was cake to a MF'er. The first thing that does have to happen is that axle has to come out. To do that the retainer clip on the end had to hit the ramp on the inside of the carrier hard enough to compress it and come out. Sometimes it a matter of rotating it while pushing in real hard 1/4 turns then popping it hard outward until you find the right spot for the clip's open gap. Others have been able to go throgh the other side with a long extension and set it on the center of the axle and smack it with a hammer.

If all mounts and drive line are loose it should slide up and out of the mounting tabs enough to work it toward the driver's side where people have said they have removed the upper a-arm and worked it through there. Not sure where you have to disconnect the actuator but that also has to be done or remove the actuator itself.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck...and patience prevails...lol

Your advice was perfect.  Removing the upper A-Arm did the trick.  The only issue I am having now is that the pin connector on the new actuator is different than the old.  Same pins and wiring colors, just different female plug.  Will swap out pin housings.  Thanks for the help!

How did you get the axel out?🧐

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Man I have had people say it was cake to a MF'er. The first thing that does have to happen is that axle has to come out. To do that the retainer clip on the end had to hit the ramp on the inside of the carrier hard enough to compress it and come out. Sometimes it a matter of rotating it while pushing in real hard 1/4 turns then popping it hard outward until you find the right spot for the clip's open gap. Others have been able to go throgh the other side with a long extension and set it on the center of the axle and smack it with a hammer.

If all mounts and drive line are loose it should slide up and out of the mounting tabs enough to work it toward the driver's side where people have said they have removed the upper a-arm and worked it through there. Not sure where you have to disconnect the actuator but that also has to be done or remove the actuator itself.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck...and patience prevails...lol

Your advice was perfect.  Removing the upper A-Arm did the trick.  The only issue I am having now is that the pin connector on the new actuator is different than the old.  Same pins and wiring colors, just different female plug.  Will swap out pin housings.  Thanks for the help!

Some people say that the connectors are not meant to come out..that there is another connector at the end of the pigtail up the side a bit but mine doesn't have any such thing and although I was able to get the connector cover to unclip and slide back on the wires, I could not get the wires to release from the base. I had to replace the O-ring so I just cleaned it up and did it still attached.

Man I have had people say it was cake to a MF'er. The first thing that does have to happen is that axle has to come out. To do that the retainer clip on the end had to hit the ramp on the inside of the carrier hard enough to compress it and come out. Sometimes it a matter of rotating it while pushing in real hard 1/4 turns then popping it hard outward until you find the right spot for the clip's open gap. Others have been able to go throgh the other side with a long extension and set it on the center of the axle and smack it with a hammer.

If all mounts and drive line are loose it should slide up and out of the mounting tabs enough to work it toward the driver's side where people have said they have removed the upper a-arm and worked it through there. Not sure where you have to disconnect the actuator but that also has to be done or remove the actuator itself.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck...and patience prevails...lol

Your advice was perfect.  Removing the upper A-Arm did the trick.  The only issue I am having now is that the pin connector on the new actuator is different than the old.  Same pins and wiring colors, just different female plug.  Will swap out pin housings.  Thanks for the help!

Some people say that the connectors are not meant to come out..that there is another connector at the end of the pigtail up the side a bit but mine doesn't have any such thing and although I was able to get the connector cover to unclip and slide back on the wires, I could not get the wires to release from the base. I had to replace the O-ring so I just cleaned it up and did it still attached.

Mine had a connector up the side.  Just had to clip a couple zip ties and pull back a rubber boot.  Don't want to mess with old part..

https://imgur.com/XEL3yTN

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Man I have had people say it was cake to a MF'er. The first thing that does have to happen is that axle has to come out. To do that the retainer clip on the end had to hit the ramp on the inside of the carrier hard enough to compress it and come out. Sometimes it a matter of rotating it while pushing in real hard 1/4 turns then popping it hard outward until you find the right spot for the clip's open gap. Others have been able to go throgh the other side with a long extension and set it on the center of the axle and smack it with a hammer.

If all mounts and drive line are loose it should slide up and out of the mounting tabs enough to work it toward the driver's side where people have said they have removed the upper a-arm and worked it through there. Not sure where you have to disconnect the actuator but that also has to be done or remove the actuator itself.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck...and patience prevails...lol

Your advice was perfect.  Removing the upper A-Arm did the trick.  The only issue I am having now is that the pin connector on the new actuator is different than the old.  Same pins and wiring colors, just different female plug.  Will swap out pin housings.  Thanks for the help!

Some people say that the connectors are not meant to come out..that there is another connector at the end of the pigtail up the side a bit but mine doesn't have any such thing and although I was able to get the connector cover to unclip and slide back on the wires, I could not get the wires to release from the base. I had to replace the O-ring so I just cleaned it up and did it still attached.

Mine had a connector up the side.  Just had to clip a couple zip ties and pull back a rubber boot.  Don't want to mess with old part..

https://imgur.com/XEL3yTN

Yeah..wish mine was that way.. but it wasn't.

Here are some pictures of the ordeal:
https://imgur.com/M8H8sbi
https://imgur.com/fBxu86N
https://imgur.com/ssLtreo
https://imgur.com/cIwX0E7
https://imgur.com/w0yAfjo
https://imgur.com/2sB4KuG
https://imgur.com/1cQnSw2

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Sh*t man..that's a broken diff!...lol