Is this CV Axle OEM?

Hey all, got into rebooting my drivers side axle tonight with a buddy and we COULD NOT get the cup (diff side) axle out of the diff. We tried pry bars on both sides (2 at a time) and a strap tied to an axe to try and yank it out. We fought it for a couple hours and eventually ended up yanking the axle out through the already torn boot and cutting the diff side boot off. We then just rebooted the diff side and reinstalled without ever removing the actual cup from the diff.

Everything I've read says that getting it out of the diff can be a b**** but we felt like this was excessive, we applied so much force, with no luck.

Also, the diff side tripod only had 1 snap ring on the end of the axle and was press fit onto the splines, unlike a lot of info I have read on this job that said 2 circlips/snap rings.

Is it possible that this is a non OEM axle and that's why it was different and potentially harder to get out of the diff? This felt like way more than just a circlip. Which I know it likely cant be much more than that but it just feels excessive for what it should be to pop a circlip out. Any thoughts on what might be going on here? We got it rebooted and back together enough to drive but it's hardly a long term fix.

Below is a pic of the diff side tripod.

 

This is how you can tell

Diff side does have only one circlip. The open part needs to be facing down, and then it can come out without much effort. To get it down, you will have to rotate and tap on the tripod case with a hammer (which will make the heavier side go down - due to gravity). The process is tap a couple times, rotate 1/2 turn pry or use a chisel/air hammer. Rinse and repeat until it comes out.

Wheel bearing side has a circlip too, but Ive heard it will take 50T+ to press that off.