Thanks to 3B helping find another three speed column shift, I'm taking it apart for a rebuild. I got to the disassembly part where I remove the main shaft.
I pressed the main shaft towards the front opening as the shop manual says. The main shaft is loose from the rear bearing but I can't get it out because it stuck to the synchro ring and 1st/reverse gears. Because the main shaft is stuck to the synchro drum, it runs into the counter gear assembly. I even made sure the synchro lugs were lined up with the main shaft spurs.
Any ideas or am I missing a step?
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