groveshome

I hope somebody can help and prevent a trip to the repair shop.   I have an older model (can't find any model/serial number plate) MTD snowblower that is an 8 horsepower/26 inch gold series with 6 forward gears and 2 reverse.  Thats all I know about it.  I believe that the worm gear has been stripped inside the transmission (at least thats what I am calling it) because I can see the impeller turning but the auger does not turn.  I am in the process of removing the auger assembly and have removed the entire housing from the engine, removed the two pulleys along with the spring that was attached.  I know have the entire front end (auger, worm gear, housing off of the machine and took the bearing housing (that was held with three nuts onto posts) off.  Here is my problem.  I know that the bearing needs to come off so the worm gear can be removed from the housing but I am unsure as to how.  I have put the bolt back in to the end of the worm gear (where the pulleys were) and hit several times with the hammer (okay, I really beat it good) but nothing moved.  Upon closer inspection of the shaft/bearing, looking down from the top of the worm gear, there are splines in the shaft, then if appears like a really fat washer/nut (not really but just using that word to describe) that is thinner on one side as opposed to the other, then the bearing.  This bearing must be removed before I can remove this and get at the transmission to see what damage has been done.  Does anybody know how to remove this bearing.....   Sorry for this post to be so long but just wanted to give as much information as possible....  TIA   groveshome