Problem separating CV joint

[Older Fossil]

I have a torn outer driver front CV boot. I've been following the repair guide on X5World and have gotten as far as driving the CV star assembly off the axle shaft. I've been using a short socket extension to hammer against the star assembly, but it has shown no signs of moving. It seems like the axle shaft itself is just sliding on splines inside the inner boot and offers no resistance to hammer against. Is this normal? If I decide to replace the inner boot, can I remove it and just slide the axle shaft out? I could then get the CV pressed off the shaft.

This is a 2001 3.0 X5.

Any help GREATLY appreciated!
Art