How do I remove these torsion bar anchor/collars??!!

[mgray]

This is from my '96 GMC Safari. The adjuster bolt and bracket are removed, and the torsion bar slides back and forth out of the lower control arm, but I can't seem to remove it from the cross member. The end that goes into the lower control arm is too big to fit through the crossmember and key, and the anchor/collar on the rear is too big to fit through.

I'm pretty sure I need to remove the anchor/collar, but I can not figure out how to do it. I've sprayed LOTS of penetrating oil inside the anchor/collar as well as from the rear. I've tried banging it forward with a hammer, but it won't budge.

Am I missing something here? Is there an easier or better way to remove these?

Here are pictures of what I'm talking about. You can see I have the bars free, but just can't push or pull them through the cross member.

Any tips tricks or ideas?

Thanks