D4D 78A flywheel clutch question

Service manual says no, have to remove the clutch.

most definetly have to remove the clutch mate. The flange is part of the shaft.
Roller bearing on the output end is most likely stuffed as well. Discovered all this when I pulled mine apart to replace seal.

Thanks for the replies .
Read and reread my service manual before I asked which only shows the removal after taking housing off machine .
I had seen on another thread pictures of a 78A that was being taken apart for rebuild /restore by another member and he had pulled the shaft out and the housing is still on machine , but transmission had already been pulled.
His bearing also fell apart when he pulled it out.

Mine is D4D 78A1859 by the way

yep; that's exactly the way it was with me too.
had trans out, and thought I could be cunning and leave clutch engaged. shaft should come out ok and just replace seal. But rear roller bearing collapsed so had to pull all out and do it properly.
clutch is a lot easier to do if gearbox is already out.
but still needed to fabricate a lifting bracket for clutch. makes it much easier. I left dash, tank etc all in place.
remove oil circulating pump prior to clutch and refit after clutch is installed. pump shaft can be bent otherwise.
Good little dozer that can still do a lot of work; 78A4848

road I did with her [attachment=24748]DSC00422.jpg[/attachment]