It will take a little muscle but it will pop out with a good pull. I put just a little grease (Or Vaseline) on the tip of the rod, then wrap a cloth or something around the accelerator rod and snap a small pair of needle nose vice grips to the rod far enough down the jaws so it spans the opening in the floor, then that helps hold the rod steady and from depressing when you press the peddle back on the rod!!!! ALSO the lube helps in pulling the peddle back off IF needed again!!!
Good luck