2001 330XI - Front Left Axle R&R can't remove

[Das86TurboII]

Need some ideas. My Front Left Axle boot failed after replacing ~ 2yrs ago. The replacement unit went in easy enough but didn't go in far enough for the inner part of the axle to seal on the bearing seal. It needs to go ~1/2 - 3/4" further in. When it went in I could hear the clip "click" indicating it had mated with the inner spline assembly. I am unable to get the axle to go futher inboard. And I can't get the axle to come out. It's stuck. I removed the strut / rotor assembly too to get better access. I am using a slide hammer axle removal tool. and pulled hard. No luck. Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks in Advance