The plastic "socket" has a snap flap at the very end. One side of the flap is "hinged" --that is--it is attached to the socket by a thin, flexible part of the plastic (warning--it will be brittle from age--gentle is the word here). The other end of the flap is a squared off "overhang" that locks onto the main part of the socket and in doing so it closes a split in the socket locking the socket to the ball. You need to gently--there's that word--flip the edge of the overhanf away from socket. That will release the split in the socket which will allow you to now pry the socket from the ball on the throttle linkage. If you have a pick-a-part place near you it would be a good idea to practice first on a junker. For the pennies it will cost it would be good to have a spare anyway. -- Dave