Isn't it just a pressfit? I just removed mine a few weeks ago, don't remember having an issue with it, but I can remember exactly how I did it either. The other end is just pressed in the hole in the crossmember though, removed that yesterday. Try to tap it a little with a hammer and see if it loosens up. I sprayed some rustremoval on the other end it it came loose with a few taps of the hammer.