[Tupen]

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?