I have 2 drive shafts from my FWD donor and want to split them at the outer CV joint so I can use the ends to clamp the hub to the upright. They don't just pull apart and poking them with a stick hasn't given me any bright ideas. How do I separate them without resorting to the angle grinder?

If you remove the CV boot you should find a retaining circlip.

If you want the chapter from the factory manual (Seicento but I believe them to be identical) drop me a u2u with your email.