I need to replace the driver side cv halfshaft including the inboard housing & splined shaft. Is it really necessary to remove the entire driveaxle assembly to do this? I don't see what would hold the splined shaft in the drive axle housing but it does not want to release.

Not sure if it actually has to be dropped but the 3rd member has to come out to remove clips inside that hold the inner cups to the housing.

What are you referring to by "third member"? I've tried inserting a prybar betweem the inner cv joint housing and the driveaxle mount but it doesn't want to come out. I didn't want to pry to hard on the mount or the cv joint housing.