Balls, did replacing the slave cylinder fix the problem. I have the same, Heat Related Shift Issue. I really have to force it into 1st gear when it's hot out.
My hub was rusted on pretty well also. Besides drenching with liquid wrench I banged on the hub a bit with a hammer while it was under tension with the puller. Then I used a breaker bar on the puller while holding the hub secure with a pry bar angled between the lug bolts. Slowly, but...
I had the same problem with the ball race disintegrating when I pressed out the bearing. The process left the outer race completely intact and extremely wedged in the knuckle. I don't have a welder. Are there any ideas on how to get it out?