Axle removal A-body Duster- spider gear removal

How do you remove the axles from the differential on a 1970 Duster 7.25 rear end? Inside the case we can't get the round rod past the ring gear to change the spider gear assembly. We thought maybe the axles had to be removed- we also expected to find clips on the end of the axles. We expected we would have to push the axle in to remove the clips then the axle would come out enough to change the spider gear. What are we missing here? Please & thank you. I have a mechanic here helping me. Please tell me or lead me to a source. Joel