I recently did the same thing on my 6 speed in my forester and it took me about an hour.
I tried it on the brumby and am stuck. i have undone the lower ball joint and the other nuts etc which hold the hub in place so i can push it out away from the car - there is enough movement so it should move far enough to get the spline out of the box. I tried to then jimmy bar the shaft out of the box but it won't budge. I tried it from above and below (i even removed the headers to get more leverage as the cat was in the way). I used quite a lot of persuasion - gave up and put it all back together as I had to use the car.
Does anyone have any hints to help me - or have I missed a locking bolt on the gearbox end or something

(ie: my questions is in relation to the drive shaft not the plug in the box that it goes into - i can get that to turn but can get the shaft out about 5mm only)
The car is at the mechanic getting a rwc and i know this will definitely need doing and i'm trying to save money.
any and all help is appreciated.
trev.