Removed my d18, have ? about mainshaft

How would I know if I pulled the trans mainshaft to far when removing the transfer case? Can I pull the top cover on trans and see?

When I pulled the transfer case I tried to keep pressure on the end of the shaft, but there were times that I had to use both hands on the case to break it free and finally pull it out.

I got worried because the main bearing that rides in both cases(the big one on the trans main shaft) was out of the lip it rides on in the trans, even though the shaft was pushed in all the way. The bearing was all the way out of the lip. I didn't know that it rode in both cases. I pushed the bearing back into the lip of the trans (approximately 3/8").
Everything seems ok, shaft turns freely by hand, no binding or noises.

I'm new to all this and appreciate the help.
Thanks, Larry

 

It sounds as if you are fine. The worst that happens when you pull the main shaft too far backwards is the needle bearings between it and the input shaft will fall to the bottom of the case. Generally, however, for that to happen, you need to have the main shaft slide backwards a good 3/4 of an inch or so. If it is all back together, take a piece of wire and wrap it around the output gear and tie it to a bolt on the shift cover to keep the thing together while the t-case is not connected to it.