Do I need a new Tractor??? RCV Leak

[Deeredevil12]

I have a JD 3203 that I am not speaking to nicely...getting close to breaking out a saw and cutting her!

My RCV is leaking where the control shaft (#30) projects through the RCV housing. You can see the shaft in the pic below protruding out of the position limiter to the left of the housing. The external washer (#1) between the housing and the position limiter (#2) has broken down to the point where only about 1/2 of it is still in tact. I've drained the fluid and have a new o-ring (#19) and washer on hand. I've opened the RCV and pulled apart the linkage but can't seem to remove the position limiter from the shaft which I believe is preventing me from pulling the shaft out of the housing. I believe there is a key between the limiter and the shaft...maybe this has frozen over time or is there something I'm missing that I need to do to remove the shaft from the housing???

I've tried PB blasting it a bunch of times, heated it up, pried, banged on it pretty hard, and used a clamp from the limiter to the end of the shaft to try to break it free with no luck. Am I missing some important step, or is this thing just a PIA?

Appreciate any help or suggestions, including a good replacement tractor since I have work to do and this thing isn't helping me cross any projects off of my list.

 

[Dwellonroof]

Maybe the key is sheared , try twisting the shaft a little while prying or tapping.

 

[Deeredevil12]

Thanks for the tip, I'll give this a try.

 

[Torvy]

Doesn't almost everyone need a new tractor?

 

[sea2summit]

Maybe the key is sheared , try twisting the shaft a little while prying or tapping.

Might also try moving it the other direction, key could have worn in it's own retaining "notch" over time to keep it from moving one of the directions.

 

[Dwellonroof]

Any update