Oh, it's not impossible. I did it, too, the way you did, which took about 2 hours and took paint off the edge of the fender in the process. It's just... dumb. Really, really dumb. Like, rebuilding your engine without removing it from the truck, dumb. You know? Like incredibly, inconceivably, inexplicably... dumb. Don't do it. Ever. Or I'll come to your house after you die from frustration and I'll point my finger in your face and say, "See? I told you so."
And then I'll run off with your girlfriend.