MOTO 4 rear axle removal
 

Hi All. I have an older shaft drive Moto 4 200 (1985ish?)that sounds like has bad bearings. I decided to remove the axle to check it out but cannot get the axle out. I got the maintenance manual just to be safe. I have it apart to where it says it should tap out. I have tapped pretty hard and it won't budge. I could get a larger hammer, but want to know if there is a trick to this? I have found a few other mentions online where this has been an issue, but none had been resolved. I would rather do this myself to keep cost down rather than take to dealer. Thanks for any input!