Apex crankshaft gear removal

[Bicycle_Mafia]

I am trying to remove the gear on the end of the crankshaft. It's the smaller of the 2 gears. I removed the reverse thread bolt but cannot get the gear off. From the looks of a parts diagram, it should just slide off from the splines it sits on. I've tried a 2 jaw gear puller and it didnt work. What's the trick to this?

 

[Bicycle_Mafia]

I've checked the service manual and it does not explain how to remove it. Has anybody ever popped it off?

 

[Goathier]

Did you get it out? If so how ?