If previous efforts to free the springs have failed, you need to open up the mouse to get at the hidden parts of the metal posts. Check out the separate teardown guide that someone else wrote, showing how to open up an Apple Mouse. Then come back to my guide for, well, guidance.

Our goal is to remove the aluminum shell covering the bottom of the mouse. Begin by removing the battery door. The two black plastic glide rails should pop right off. Remove the batteries.

The aluminum shell is lightly glued to the black plastic part that holds the batteries. Use a heat gun or a hair dryer set on low, to warm up the aluminum and soften the glue. Take care not to apply too much heat or you might melt the white plastic top of the mouse or the black plastic underneath the aluminum shell.

When the aluminum shell is warm, gently pry it up, with a plastic lever or your fingernails. Pull gently and steadily, with patience, until the aluminum shell pulls away from the black plastic base.