Extracting the crankshaft pinion gear

[BSA_54A10]

We just did this job 4 times and found that a small bearing extractor could be clamped into the slots cut for the removal tool which of course
1) did not actually fit properly
2) broke the 2nd time we tried to use it.

With them on you can use a puller with a socket on the end of the shaft to protect the quill.
Came off so easy we were rather crnky about having wasted money on what was supposed to be a pinion puller.

[metalflake11]

Thanks for your help Muskie and John. ......The second 'spacer' was actually the outer ball race Muskie, so that sorted that one.

In the end I split the cases with a pair of spring compressors for car suspension. I unscrewed the claws and put them back on so they face outwards.  Using the outermost barrel studs to push against, and inside the sump, the two halves slid apart beautifully.