jd straight 450 pinion gear removal

[Bro.Greg]

I need a little info from someone who has removed the pinion from a 450 crawler before. I am having a problem removing the gear behind the first thrust washer on the pinion shaft. I have the thrust washer moved forward and the gear will not slide forward. Any ideas? Thanks

[Bro.Greg]

update: I was able to remove the gear from the pinion shaft. I had to cut the gear into. A bearing came apart and the bearing debri seized the gear to the pinion shaft.