Craftsman sector gear problem

I have a Craftsman 917-271060 mower. I need to replace the steering support shaft (#19, p/n 160395) I have the entire assembly out of the mower. For the life of me, I cannot get the shaft (#23, p/n 165851) to break loose from the sector gear (#27, p/n 136874) I did remove the e-clip from between # 27 & 66. Am I missing something? Another e-clip? Maybe a setscrew in the sector gear? Before I move up to a heavier sledge hammer, I thought I'd double check.

 

Nope, as long as the clips are removed (one at the end of the shaft, one at the sector gear), it should slide off. I've had one or two that wouldn't come off. I use an impact hammer sometimes to get them off.

 

Got the clip at the sector gear. Got a bolt at the opposite end of the pitman arm. So, is it seized at the sector splines?

 

glad I READ THIS THREAD BECAUSE THE MODEL MIGHT BE LIKE MY CANADian made unit and I've been looking for parts info. steering looks like mine. on second look it's different. On the end away from the sector gear there is a c-clip to remove from the cross shaft. There is another c-clip between sector gear and part 19.
Not to high jack thread but I was wondering if there should be play on the shaft end of 17 going into 19. I have some movement there and I don't see a bushing. I don't have part 66 but rather a small plastic worn out bushing where 23 goes into the hole in in 25 at sector gear end.