I responded to your PM to me. Get a sub to alldata diy, and I think in there it describes how to remove the cable. I don't recall that part being particularly hard to do, but I can't remember exactly how it comes off. I think there are some clips you pull out, and then you pop the ball end cap off the ball end (i think?) to get it out. I think it slides through the hole in the bracket or something.
The bracket is the one that holds the shift cable. On 4WD vehicles there isn't much space to try and remove the bracket. 2WD may be easier. Bending may cause an issue with shifting if you aren't careful but I didn't have any issues.
Bending is obviously not the correct way to do it, unbolting the bracket is, but alas its what I ended up having to do. I didn't want to have it flatbedded to the dealer and I wasn't going to put fluid back in and drive it there because I figured to have knocked dirt into the trans pan already.
Good luck!