I don't know if the diesel and the 2.1 water boxer transmissions are similar
when it comes to these silly clutch levers but i can tell you for something
that looks so easy to pull off i can understand your frustration.
BTDT as well..........................................what finally worked
was an automotive puller of some sort.  I can't remember what kind but i
rented one from a tool place and the arm came out very easily in literally
moments.
I later found that i could have bought one at Princess Auto for as little as
what i paid to rent it for a day.
You're in BC - you should have a Princess Auto somewhere.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Shawn Wright" <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2005 6:34 PM
Subject: Help removing clutch lever

>I can't get the &#*$(# clutch lever off the clutch fork rod! I need to get
>this
> apart so I can replace the broken up plastic sleeve on the rod. I've let
> is
> soak overnight with PB Blaster, and bashed it as hard as I dare, but there
> seems no way to hold this thing still while bashing it without destroying
> the
> bellhousing! This is a diesel bellhousing, otherwise I probably would have
> smashed it to bits by now in frustration. Should I try heat? Cut the damn
> thing off?
> Any suggestions appreciated before I ruin the bellhousing!
>
> Shawn Wright
> http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
> '85 Jetta D
> '88 Westy 2.1L, soon to be 1.6TD 5 speed
> '82 Diesel Westy
>