The transfer input gear was very hard to insert into the gearbox shaft. Hitting on it with a hammer made me lose my nerve after a while. I tried to pull it out but it wouldn't budge! My gear puller was too short to reach, aaaaaagh, I need a larger puller!

PING! A tooth chipped from the gear and hit me on the right cheek. Another half an inch I could have gone to the ER with an eye injury.
The gear is now farked

Any idea if the input gear normally takes that much force to insert on the gearbox shaft? It is still sticking out by about 7 mm. I just replaced the seal with a new one, but it can't be that hard, can it?
Dave