No.. it is not the "C" shaped clips on the ends of the yokes. Look at the end of the shaft that comes out of the mower. The rusty brown shaft.. Look at the very end for a wire type clip in a groove. pry it out, I can't quite see it. I need a better photo to be sure, but it is not the C clips, that is how you take apart the yoke, and you need a vise and sockets or a press and special pliers like you said, But this is NOT what you want to do. Also the yoke may be rusted onto the shaft. I believe your shaft is a smooth shaft, and I cant tell if there is a roll pin or what going thru the shaft. Normally it is a shear bolt, but I didn't see one.. Is there a hole in the black outer shroud to line up to put a drift punch (roll pin punch) thru the hole.? The idea is to get the yoke off of the mowers shaft so you can get a complete new shaft right?