Alpha lower unit advice

[cfelton]

Well I haven't had my boat out since my son in law passed away in 2019. Been running it on the hose once in a while. Decided to replace the water pump in the Alpha lower unit. Got a complete kit and it came with the shift shaft bushing. Decided to replace it all while I had it off. Unscrewed the bushing and holding the shaft down, I pulled up on the bushing. It got hung and pulled the shift shaft out. Pushed it back in , thought it was ok. Mounted the lower unit and it was hung in forward. Pulled it back off and it just spins around now. Borrowed a bore scope from work and looked inside. Found the splined section of the shift crank is broken. Ordered a new one and the tools to take it apart, waiting on them now. Anybody have any advice on taking the lower unit apart?
I didnt order the carrier puller, figured I could make one.