Power trim removal... HELP!

[Zaairman]

Just like the title says, I'm removing the power trim from my boat in order to get it rebuilt and new seals put in. Now, I've run into a problem. I cannot get the lower shaft out. The repair manual states that it should just slide out after a few taps with a hammer. Few taps with a sledge hammer later, and it's not budging. Any ideas? Here is a pic for reference... I'd post a pic, but I am at home and have no way of doing it until tomorrow night.
The shaft runs horizontally through the bottom piece in this picture:
http://i20.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/b3/13/0b08_1.JPG
It's the shaft that you can see in the top piece in this picture. NOTE: This piece is what is facing the transom...aka I cannot get at it like this.
http://i9.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/b3/13/0cf7_1.JPG
The brackets themselves are aluminum (I think). Not sure about the shaft itself. Now, I know what you all are thinking. Heat it up and hit it with a hammer. Ain't gonna happen. This shaft is 1.5" from my transom. No heat can be used.

[sorry dog]

I can't really see it from the side to see how well you can get at it... but
you could try some heat on the bracket or if it was me, I would take it to this diesel engine shop that has a 20 ton press. Last time I needed them to remove an axle from a bearing they wouldn't even take money, but I gave'em twenty anyway.
You probably got a machine shop close to you. They are usually good guys.

[Zaairman]

Well, I finally got it out after SEVERAL coatings of WD40, a BFH, and a punch. Let's never do that again... Good lord. Now I've gotta get the shaft retapped cause the threads are messed up from beating on it so hard. Oh well. Life goes on.