SQL 2012 :: Cannot Truncate Log File Which Is Part Of Transaction Replication

SQL 2012 Ent SP2

Database is in simple recovery mode, and published with transaction replication push subscription, just one subscriber but the database is huge. I don't want to overwrite the schema at the subscriber either.

I had to run an alter database command on a published database, it created so many logs that an extra drive had to be added along with an extra log file to accommodate all the logs.

The problem I have is I'd like to know clear the file of logs so I can drop the temporary log file, and give the drive back, but I cannot.

I have tried dbcc shrinkfile with the emptyfile option but it never clears, I have also tried it with notruncate and truncateonly options (mainly out of desperation).

I do not need to worry about point in time restore as a full backup is taken before and after the operation. After which the database will be put back into Full recovery mode.

I have looked at log_reuse_wait_desc and the file says 'Replication', so I am now thinking the file cannot empty because replication is keeping one of the VLFs active. I tried dropping and recreating the subscription hoping it might free something up and I could get somewhere, but it made no difference.

Do I have to remove replication completely to get round this? Surely not.

I have also tried putting the database back into full recovery mode, doing a full DB backup, and a transaction log backup, but its made no difference, which is also what makes me think a portion of the log is still active because of replication, and perhaps the transactions have not gone through to the subscriber, which raises another question, why not?

I have not tried restarting SQL server, as I'd like to know a way out of this without having to do that, plus I do not think it would make any difference anyway.