[Maxzillian]

Originally Posted by squirrel

Another alternative is to break the pinion gear (assuming you won't need it), using a nut splitter, or even a hammer and cold chisel and an anvil. The hammer method can be hard on the motor, so use it as a last resort.

This is the method I've always used. I usually take a dremel with a cut-off wheel and cut a deep slot, nearly to the shaft, along the length of both sides of the gear (180 degrees apart). This makes it very easy to split using a hammer and chisel.