98 4x4 surburban front axle removal

i'm having a problem removing the booted end of the front axle from the transfer case. the strapped front end of the axle has been disconnected but the transfer end doesn't want to slip out. any help will be appreciated.

Have you disconnected one of the boot clamps to get the shaft off?If you haven't,take the boot clamp off on the transfer case side and the shaft should slip off the transfer case splines.If you did remove a boot clamp,then the spline may have seized together.Removing the oil filter will give you enough room to slip the axle shaft off the transfer case.I hope this helps.
chuck's