Once it's been determined that "it can be a booger"  take ALL the wedge bolts out of both wedges.  Cut the heads off the inside ones if you have to, but get them out. 

When you get to the part about hitting the end of the axle...you really need a  manly-man with at least a 20lb sledge.  If you don't have the manly-man, girlie-man swings with a manly 20 pounder will do a lot more good then manly looking swings with a girlie-man 8 pounder.