Whenever I have a t-case apart I like to mock shift it to see what's happening and how it works. I was just into an '06 and learned the hard way that the forward end of the worm gear shaft is located by an 1/8" dowel.
Without the support of the rear case half this tiny dowel can't withstand forcing the shift forks around, and it snapped flush so there was no extracting the remainder from the shaft.
I elected to drill it out and reamed .249"
And installed a 1/4" dowel seen here. The broken 1/8" is visible at top
Next to open the hole in the case I "extended" a drill bit with a homeowner 1/4" hex shank bit in a 1/4" socket on an extension. Set a drill stop with tape or similar so you don't drill through the case
Anyway, the point is that if you break that tiny dowel, all is not lost
Without the support of the rear case half this tiny dowel can't withstand forcing the shift forks around, and it snapped flush so there was no extracting the remainder from the shaft.
I elected to drill it out and reamed .249"
And installed a 1/4" dowel seen here. The broken 1/8" is visible at top
Next to open the hole in the case I "extended" a drill bit with a homeowner 1/4" hex shank bit in a 1/4" socket on an extension. Set a drill stop with tape or similar so you don't drill through the case
Anyway, the point is that if you break that tiny dowel, all is not lost