Ran into some trouble disconnecting part of the coning tower/waist big red lasers:




The red plastic sections seems to be stuck in place to the gray plastic section via three metal studs on either side (one pictured, the other two hide underneath the remaining big laser assembly as pictured) which also seem to hold the die-cast center section in place.

I may attempt to use the soldering iron technique on these to try and loosen them and some pliers but I'm not sure how they truly connect as I can't see the other side. Any suggestions would be appreciated.