I've done this repair a few times.
A coupla times I was able to fiddle the piston back in, but it was easier/quicker to just remove the tailshaft housing bolts, very carefully move the housing back using a sharp scraper to separate/save the gskt.,move housing back less than an inch, clock the housing enuff for lever pin to be removed.
The piston was damaged a few times, and needed replacement.
There is a hi/po piston avail,as this is not an uncommon prob.
One of the ones I fiddled back in, came back needing replacement.
I leave the driveshaft in.
