Asko W622 drum bearings

I have followed instructions I found on internet to remove the bearings. General procedure as follows:
1. Remove front panel, door, counterweights, front of watertight casing (I can see all around the drum, there is nothing restricting it)
2. Remove back panel, pulley, wave washer

At this point the drum is supposed to just slide out. However, it just moves about 1/8 inch and goes clunk. Not a sticky, rust on the shaft noise but CLUNK. It then moves freely back and forth 1/8″ (clunk-clunk) but won’t come out.

I checked the parts drawing. There is no circlip or anything shown, it appears consistent with the written instructions. I checked there are no burrs on the shaft at the exposed end. I tried having someone pull the drum and then hit it with a hammer. The shaft slid through the bearing about 1/4″ but then when my helper relaxed it sprang back right where it came from. It is as if there is something on the shaft that stops it going through the seal and the movement I got is from flexing the back of the watertight casing, which then springs back. I am afraid to hit it really hard in case I damage the back of the watertight casing.

Does anyone have experience with this or other Asko of around the same vintage that might help? Is there anything else I can check or do I have to just hit it hard and hope?

Thanks,
Janmade