Okay, I got it apart. Took a pair of needle-nose pliers that I didn't care about (I've got a bunch of them, but they're all too big!) and attacked it with a Dremel tool until it fit. Worked like a charm.

Talk about a precision instrument! At least it's straightforward...not to mention quite dirty. I don't have any mineral spirits handy; anything else you can think of to clean everything up? I'm thinking along the lines of rubbing alcohol, or even carb or brake cleaner Mine is also quite dirty...

Thanks!

{added in edit} Also, is the float supposed to be snug against the center shaft, or is there supposed to be some play? The float feels rather loose...also, after doing a dry Q-tip wipedown, I plugged the unit in and had my girlfriend turn on the key...there's still some swinging around, but the needle will only go down to slightly below the halfway mark...I may not have had a good ground, though; that may be why...or, again, I haven't finished cleaning it yet...