Technical drivers side drive shaft question

[sprie]

Having removed and reinstalled the drive shaft on the passengers side to replace the boots, i have started the same on the drivers side.
Eventually managed to get the taper released and the drive shaft released from the wheel bearing. But the drive shaft didn't just pull out (as it did from the gearbox on the passenger side).
As the gearbox is further away i can see the mechanism on the drivers side is different.
I suspect i have a choice:
1) replace the boots whilst the drive shaft is still on the car
2) undo whatever this bracket is (on photo) to remove drive shaft.

Option 1 is doable, but i would do a better job with the drive shaft off the car.

Is option 2 straightforward, or is it to be avoided?

 

[bugsymike]

Having removed and reinstalled the drive shaft on the passengers side to replace the boots, i have started the same on the drivers side.
Eventually managed to get the taper released and the drive shaft released from the wheel bearing. But the drive shaft didn't just pull out (as it did from the gearbox on the passenger side).
As the gearbox is further away i can see the mechanism on the drivers side is different.
I suspect i have a choice:
1) replace the boots whilst the drive shaft is still on the car
2) undo whatever this bracket is (on photo) to remove drive shaft.

Option 1 is doable, but i would do a better job with the drive shaft off the car.

Is option 2 straightforward, or is it to be avoided?

Either way works , but providing you can get the CV joint off the drive shaft in situ that is my preferred method if only changing the CV boot.
If you want to work in a vice on bench then remove the drive shaft centre mounting from side of engine, but more hassle I feel.
In the past I used to support the drive shaft and give the CV joint a good clout with a copper mallet and if lucky the joint would pop off, more recently I bought a tool like this that does the job with less physical effort.