72 489 case axle removal help!

I cant get the axle out of 8.75 unit, it may have rusted since the other side was missing an axle. Question is, I removed axle outside cover nuts, the bell housing cover wont come loose, I know that some assemblies have a large adjuster nut on them, do i need to pry this cover back. We tried to pull this axle, by placing the rearend chain down and exerting pressure with a winch, pulling on the axle it did not move. I also loosend the nuts on the pumpkin to give it some freedom of movement and nothing.