Snapper Lift shaft assy.

Mine is broken on this Snapper LT18538 (2690440). It is item 26 on the IPL, part number 1737957YP. Replacement looked fairly easy at first, but nope! Do I need to take the bodywork off? I dropped the deck and started unbolting but how do I get the connection for the lift lever off(Item 27 in IPL). Does THAT lever need to be removed?

Thanks for any replies,

Dnelson.