Pleash help

I'm replacing the clutch on my car. (A manual 2000 eclipse 3.0L V6)
I've replaced clutches before, but not on an eclipse, so I got a Haynes Repair Manual for my vehicle.
I've followed the the instructions step by step.

The first problem I had was one of the last steps to remove the transaxle, it says to insert a flat headed screwdriver through the small round access hole in the bottom of the bellhousing. (while someone at top pushes the release lever towards the transaxle), I was to place te srewdriver tip between the clutch release bearing and its retaining collar and twist the screw driver to release it.
No matter what I tried I could not get it to release. Everything else is apart, nothing should be holding the transaxle and bellhousing in the car.
There is almost a two inch gap between the bellhousing and engine were I have started to move it towards the side of the car to clear the input shaft. I can't get the transaxle the rest of the way out. The Haynes manual says not to remove the flywheel bolts. This car has been sitting in my garage for months and I can't figure it out. What do I need to do to get it out?

I have just started to replace the clutch on a 2000 3.0 eclipse. I took the axles out today and will be removing the trans in the morning. I watched a video on youtube on how to release the throw out bearing. Looked easy. If you have new clutch setup you can try try to see how it clicks on and off.