7.5ho Mercury lower unit seals

[Fishingtilldark]

Good morning everyone, the snow has finally melted and I get clean up my boat for opening day. I picked up a 7.5hp merc motor for next to nothing. It just needs a new seal kit it hit some fishing line. I got the retainer nut off with a homemade tool I welded up, after I had that removed I expected the guts of the lower unit to fall right out and make this seal job a breeze but it proves to be more of a challenge then I had expected. its seems as if the carrier bearing is stuck on the prop and I can't get it to budge and I don't wanna pry or do damage to the cast unit. Special tool needed to remove? Or am I just missing something?

Any help, suggestions or pictures would be great.

I am very new to the outboard motor scene, I've always used a trolling motor on my 10ft tinner to get around with 2 marine batteries but I'm looking to get this motor going again. I have 3 lower units in my possession so I got parts.

Thanks


Rippin lips and settin hooks