F60TJRC Lower Unit Maintenance

I am ready to separate the drive shaft from the bearing carrier to check the bearing for wear and want to know if I can use a rubber mallet instead of a machine press to force the shaft free? I understand that I need to warm the carrier with a torch prior to applying force to the shaft. Anybody having knowledge with Yamaha jet pumps please respond. This is my first attempt servicing the water pump and bearing on my '04 Yamaha outboard. Thanks.

[boats.net]

As long as it isn't corroded up and the bearings are not very bad it will come apart easily without a press.