5kcstq shifter linkage removal?

[auditude at neta.com]

Hello,

What methods have you folks used to pop off the shifter linkage
from the tranny, on a T44.  I can seem to get good leverage against
it with screwdrivers to pop it off.

I wasn't able to find anything about this in the archives, except for a
couple of mentions that is it a pita.

Thanks,

Ken