U360 Newbie Question

[TexFlood]

Ok, so I may be missing something obvious here.  I've received my U360 control and I ordered the stiff spring and longer handle.  So I'm trying to install these add-ons.  I've successfully unscrewed the 4 screws from the top mount and removed the handle.  I can take off the magnet at the bottom, but now according to the Ultimarc website I need to:

Lift off the magnet assembly from the end of the shaft. Remove the E-Ring. CARE: we advise to avoid spring-loaded parts being lost, place a cloth over the joystick when removing the E-ring. Swap the shafts and/or springs over and re-assemble.

I believe the E-Ring is the small piece of metal at the bottom of the handle that is sitting in the little handle groove.  I've been trying to gently remove this piece but it doesn't seem to be an easy thing.  I'm going to ask this before I break the thing, how do you remove the E-Ring easily?
 

[destructor]

Search this forum for E-Ring.

I use tiny screwdriver.

[Aurich]

You don't, e-rings suck. 

Don't be afraid to use a little force, jam a slot head screwdriver in there and twist.

[javeryh]

I remember having a hard time getting the e-ring off too - a little force is OK.  When I finally got it off I was worried about putting it back together but that part was easy.

[Hoopz]

Using small screwdriver is good.  I also use needle nose pliers to keep hold of it.

And they are easily replaceable if you do lose one. I bought extras at Lowes before and keep them on hand just in case....

[TexFlood]

Thanks all for your info and suggestions.  It seems that those little buggers (E-Rings) do come off with a little bit of work.  Before I asked here it felt like I was really trying to force the things to come off; case in point, I nearly impaled my left hand with the small screwdriver in my left hand trying to use the small groove in the E-Ring to pull it away from the handle. 

HooPZ - That is great to know they are a replaceable piece.  Alleviates the thought that I will need a part imported from overseas. 

javeryh - I agree, snapping the thing back on was far easier than my struggle with getting it off the handle.

Aurich - I used your method exactly and that did the trick.