As you say, I pretty much just yanked it out of there. The first couple of centimeters required a bit more leverage than I could get while yanking on it, so I did have to pry on it a bit. I was just surprised when it didn't easily yank the rest of the way out after that. I had just gotten it bound in there somehow, and a little pushing and pulling freed it right up. I have to disagree with the "no mess" part of the response, however. I feel like I may never get that black grease that had come out of the CV boot off my hands!