So. Basically what needs to happen is the parking brake lever needs to be pushed in farther to allow the the end of the rod move toward the firewall past the bracket that bolts it to the floor. To do that you need to unbolt and remove the parking brake switch. Then remove the pulley. Once that is out of the way you can push up on the ratchet tab just behind the handle and push it in. once the handle is in you can reach up with needle nose pliers and pull down on the cable to pull the barrel out of the rod.

It made things much easier to see what all needed to be done to remove the assembly but it is not necessary. Also doing this during the day so you are not doing this with a flashlight in one hand makes a difference. lol.