1996 Mercury Villager CV HALF SHAFT REMOVAL

I AM HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING THE DRIVER SIDE TRANSAXLE FROM THE AUTO TRANSMISSION OF A MERCURY VILLAGER GS. I BOUGHT THE ONLINE MANUAL FROM MITCHELL AS RECOMMENDED. I HAVE THE HUB ASSEMBLY OFF AND FREED AT THE OUTER END. I AM TRYING TO PRY FROM THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING BETWEEN TRANSMISSION CASE AND OUTER RACE OF INNER END OF HALF SHAFT). I CAN SEEM TO FREE IT FROM THE INTERNAL CIRCLIP AS THE MANUAL SAYS. IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE TO BE REMOVED FIRST (BOLTS, BRACKETS?) I SEE THERE IS A BRACKET THAT HELPS SUPPORT THE TRANSMISSISON. IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO INTERFERE WITH WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO. AM I MISSING SOMETHING? THANKS