GXV160 right? Should be the same as on my HR215 . . . two spring clips to slide back revealing two loose fit pins to remove, and slide it off. Put the new one on, insert the pins, and captivate with the clips. I'd wager it might take longer to remove the drive shaft cover than to replace the shaft itself. Only tools needed being a socket to fit the cover bolt, and a pair of needle node pliers for the clips/pins . . .
Or are you actually referring to the axle? That one is a pain, and likely requires a transmission teardown. What Honda calls the 'drive shaft' (and what I discussed above) is the short shaft from the engine PTO to the transmission. If it's the axle on a hydro, I've not touched one . . . the three speed geared trans wasn't bad, but the axle goes all the way through it with an internal pin holding it in place . . .