Typicaly lenses are held in assemblies with a threaded ring which has two slots on its circumference. These slots are opposite each other and you use a special wrench to loosen it- can't remember what it's called.
I have used an old vernier caliper before to do this- use the internal measuring bit of the caliper but be very careful not to slip or you'll scratch the lens.
This is assuming the assembly is as above- if not sorry for the bother.
I love deadlines- I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.