Thread: MD45/HM46 Z Axis lead screw removal issue

I decided it was time to tear my MD45 milling machine down and measure the lead screws in preparation for replacing them with ball screws for CNC. The tear down has gone quite smoothly with the exception of the Z axis. I am unsure of the procedure to remove the Z lead screw? The thing that has me stumped is where the lead screw meets the Z handle. The Z screw has a large helical gear, which meets a keyed helical pinion gear on the hand wheel shaft, but I can't see how to remove this gear. Any ideas on this one?