You have done very well with removing this using a sledgehammer and a bar. Worth mentioning that the use of thin oil/ diesel on the old pin massively helps lubricant it during removal.
I have three stories for you. You mentioned pieces of metal flying when hammering. About 18 years ago I was knocking out a u joint from a driveshaft. I was holding it over one leg and made sure I put on my eye protection and told my young boys to get away. I started hammering and after a few blows a large chip broke off and buried itself about an inch and a half into my inner thigh. Went right through a pair of coveralls and jeans. It is right next to the nerves going down my leg so it can't be removed. Crazy how much force a chip can have! I once had the tip of an air chisel break off, hit my forehead and slide up my skull under my scalp almost two inches. I had a lump on my head under the skin where it ended up. It was not easy to get out but a magnet finally did the trick and I slid it back to the entrance hole and out it came. Third story, I used to work at a hospital and met a guy that rushed in with his car and yelled "Help I have been shot". I quickly helped him to a wheelchair and rushed him into the ER. I asked him what he was doing at the time he got shot and he said he was using a sledge hammer on a wedge to split fire wood. A chip the size of a 22 cal bullet went right between his ribs and landed against his heart but luckily did not puncture it. They had to open his chest to get it out.
You have done very well with removing this using a sledgehammer and a bar. Worth mentioning that the use of thin oil/ diesel on the old pin massively helps lubricant it during removal.
I have three stories for you. You mentioned pieces of metal flying when hammering. About 18 years ago I was knocking out a u joint from a driveshaft. I was holding it over one leg and made sure I put on my eye protection and told my young boys to get away. I started hammering and after a few blows a large chip broke off and buried itself about an inch and a half into my inner thigh. Went right through a pair of coveralls and jeans. It is right next to the nerves going down my leg so it can't be removed. Crazy how much force a chip can have! I once had the tip of an air chisel break off, hit my forehead and slide up my skull under my scalp almost two inches. I had a lump on my head under the skin where it ended up. It was not easy to get out but a magnet finally did the trick and I slid it back to the entrance hole and out it came. Third story, I used to work at a hospital and met a guy that rushed in with his car and yelled "Help I have been shot". I quickly helped him to a wheelchair and rushed him into the ER. I asked him what he was doing at the time he got shot and he said he was using a sledge hammer on a wedge to split fire wood. A chip the size of a 22 cal bullet went right between his ribs and landed against his heart but luckily did not puncture it. They had to open his chest to get it out.
Same thing happened to me with a u-joint but it went into the meat of my hand, never had a wound squirt before lol