i am trying to take appart a 03 tacoma front diff and its giving me trouble. this is an automatic locking hubs diff that has the motor mounted on it. i'm trying to take that axle tube off and it feels as if theres a clip holding that axle on. but if i look at where the axle slips into the spider gears, i dont see anything. is there a specific way to take it apart?

 

Are you trying to get the cv out? there is ring holding it in, just pry out the cv with a crowbar.

 

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/index.html

Front diff carrier is 2/3 down the page

 

I popped my boot and pulled the shaft then pryed it out of the diff...
Be careful you dont drop the caps! NO SWEAT!