Clutch release lever

[sblaylock]

One product that has solved numerous issue like this for me is Loctite Freeze & release. It's a very cold spray, -38F according to the label. In your situation I'd gently heat the aluminum ears, then spray the F&R on the steel shaft. The steel shaft should contract pretty quickly before cooling the aluminum ears and will hopefully break it free.

As was suggested by Charlie, twisting the shaft would be less risky that a hammer and punch. If you can get a pair of Vice-Grips on the nub of the shaft and do the heat then F&R it should break free. If that doesn't work I'm not sure more force would be your next step i.e. Slide hammer. You may want to look at pulling the cover and drilling the shaft out using a drill press or mill - something you can precisely drill with.

Good luck,
Scott.