nust diff cover be pulled to replace d30 axle?

Do you have to pull the diff cover to replace and axle or will the gears stay put so that you can swap a shaft? Just need to know so that I can have the oil handy if I need to pull the cover.

One piece shafts will slide out without popping the cover off. One of my two piece long side shafts had a c-clip on it, but the replacement I put in didn't.

You do not have to remove your diff cover to remove the axle shafts. However, just make sure the longer passenger side axle doesn't drag the inside of the axle tube while putting it back in. Especially if the axle shaft still has the unit bearing attached it does get a little heavy. Crap tends to build up inside the axle tube and if the shaft touches it, you can push the crud thru the oil seal and into diff.