Removing axle shaft

Searched around with no luck- I am tearing down a dana 44 to have regeared and locked. Keeps labor costs down. Do i have to take the drum brakes apart to pull the shafts? What is the special tool required to remove the brakes? Thanks for the help and wish me luck. parts alone on this build are looking at 1 thousand. ahhhhhhh i used to have money, now i have a project jeep

you have to pull the drum off, you will see a hole in the axle flange big enough to fit a socket, there will be 4 14mm bolts you will need to remove and the shaft should come out