ok.......the bottom bolt, and top bolt are removed and the linkage is loose............but it wont slide out from either end

is there a trick to this, or do you just have to yank the thing out with force? i would try turning the wheel, but its on ramps so i cant.

 

I just took a rubber mallet and tapped it out. It should come out pretty easily if I remember right.

 

i used a pry bar and it slid off pretty easy.. getting it back on is where things got tricky for me.

 

Same here, I pryed it off the top mounting location and after the header was in I pryed it back on.
Prying it back on can get a little tricky, you have to get the right angle on it, took me about 15 to 20 minutes to get the angle just right to pop it back on.