i've never took a drive shaft out of a lower unit before. I have took off the nut that holds the gear onto the drive shaft but the gear won't come off . is there something under the lower part of the water pump holding the shaft in place? i have the water pump off except the plastic spacer or bottom of water pump housing . i was going to use the drive shaft to get to come off . i didn't want to pry on it because i figured i'd break it. I'm changing the drive shaft out so i can use the lower unit on a short shaft motor