1- look at picture…
a- lower brass cup under the carbon seal assembly rides above the drive shaft cross pin in the other picture

b – the crosss pin MUST line up with the slots to pull down the drive shaft

c- assuming the two are line up for an exit the splines may me stuck so wacking the gearcase down with a rubber mallet should help you get
enough room to take out the lower link bolt
d- a few more wack should do it

you could try to turn the motor upside side and have some release agent slide down the drive shaft and hopefully find its way to the shaft splines
way a day or two and retry

if all else fails pull the powerhead… not a big job anyway