12 bolt differential pinion shaft removal

[dmjlambert]

I want to remove the c-clips and pull out the axle shaft. This 12 bolt differential is giving me a hard time or I don't know what I'm doing. On my 1969 differential I removed the differential pinion shaft lock bolt and the pinion shaft fell out. On this 1963 one I was able to remove the lock bolt intact. But I can't get the pinion shaft to come out. I tried pushing it from both sides, and I tried using a socket and tapping on it with a hammer (lightly). It moves about 1/8 inch. It can rotate with the gears. What to do?