Rear U-Joint replacement help

I am working on a 1998 Polaris Sportsmen 500 for a friend and I can't get the rear drive axle out for u-joint replacement. I believe all that holds it in there is a snap ring which just snaps in. Maybe I'm wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

i had to change the boot on my 07 sportsman and to get the axle out i had to use outter snap ring pliers to open the ring around the axle and it came right out. might be the same on yours