[criageek]

I get to answer my own question.  The question was "how hard is it to remove the pin retaining the metal pinion gear"?  The answer:  NOT!  I decided to give it a try so I got out a small punch and tapped on it a bit and was surprised that it moved.  It took a good rap, but not excessively.  Here it is with the pin part way out

   

And here is the plastic gear on the other end of the shaft

   

Now I have another question. Should I use oil on the shaft? Or should I use grease?

Rich