Yep, I wound out unbolting it, beating on it for a couple of days, sliding it off sideways so that it was hanging by the tube that guides the tool into place, then I had to grind off the pin that goes through the tube, followed by pulling the tube through the frame the wrong way (flared end through the frame) and then finally I realized that the stupid thing is non-serviceable (not to mention still stuck on the rim) and I had to cut the cable anyway.
The crank was totally ruined, because I tried to crank it with a wrench after removal and it still clicked uselessly.
What a terrible design - it reminds me of why I was a Ford man first.
If GM had not at least got the (GEN III+) small block right I still would be wholeheartedly. Now I just pick what I like about each.
Thanks for the help.