[Shop-talk] help with removing gear cluster

[Lee Daniels]

I've got a dead 2005 Mini Cooper manual transmission opened up. I want to use
the main shaft as a clutch centering tool. The shift linkage and couple of
other connecting parts are all removed, leaving the two shafts and shift forks
in place in the case. What's holding the back end of those shafts in place? I
took a couple (crappy phone) photos of the situation, see here:

  http://www.automate-it.com/photos/Mini/

On the other side of the case, where the other (not shown) ends of the two
shafts would be in contact with the case, there are circles apparently cast
into the aluminum case, but they don't seem to be like plugs or anything
removable. Any ideas?

thanks,
 Lee