Balance shaft spacer?

I'm trying to get the front case off and the only thing holding me back is this spacer that is behind where the front b-shaft sprocket was i got it off about halfway and it just won't budge. I never seen this thing on vfaq or anywhere else, I can't even find it in the haynes manual.

So anyone who has done the b-shafts before can tell me if this thing will ever some off or how they got it off I would appeciate it!

Thanks

1990 TSi AWD

That should just slide off. If the motor is on a stand, I think the shaft would just come off with the cover and you could deal with it then.

Mine came off with the cover... Now it WON'T come off from the cover at all. lol

Grab some pliers, move it around a little, and pull. Mine was kind of rough to get out, but it does come.

Unfortunately the motor is still in the car and lowering it to pull the front shaft is impossible with the way the car is sitting (halfway on a ramp). I figured it should just slide off. I'll get some vice grips and muscle on it later tonight.

Thanks for the replies...I'll be back if I need anything else.