Now, from here you reach a crossroad. there are two ways to remove the cv axle from the intermediate shaft. The hard way, or the shortcut way
the first way, which is outlined in the ford probe shop manual, is to remove the intermediate shaft from the transmission before knocking off the cv axle.
the intermediate shaft is removed by undoing three or four bolts that hold it onto the engine block, where the cv axle connects to the intermediate shaft. i believe they are either 10mm or 12 mm bolts. after you undo those bolts, you can then remove the intermediate shaft from the tranny. It just slides right out, and it doesnt use a circlip.
after you remove the intermediate shaft with the axle still attached, you just have to remove the axle
this can be done the way I did it, which is easily done by taking a hammer (if your not reuseing the axle) or with a rubber mallet. Hold the intermediate shaft in one hand, or place it in a vice. Then, hammer on the cv axle, where it meets the intermediate shaft away from the side that came out of the tranny.
Huh-huh, i'm holding my shaft... :P