I think i have 2 options. I cant get the rod out, the plastic wedge on the end will not budge. The other end of the rod is held in place by the the other plastic hole which isnt broken.
1. glue the piece back on. It doesnt really fit back on very nicely and i think its missing chucks. I also worry about glue on the rod.

2. This is best idea i have at the moment. I can 3d design a piece that will sit over the plastic part with the screws (i will need longer screws). Attached to it will be an arm that extends over the top of the rod with a half tube to keep the rod down. I think this will work as i just need pressure on the rod to keep it down and the bottom of the existing plastic will still hold the rod in place.
This method also doesnt break or change the drive permanently either.

The cable is in a socket but you are right, it's very difficult to remove. The contacts are spring blades that bite into the wires as you pull it, it's easy to bend the blades or rip off the wire. A tiny, thin blade inserted between the spring and each wire might help release it but it's hard to find something suitable and work it in. All in all, poor design (well, easy and cheap for assembly) and it might be easier to desolder the small PCB instead.

As for the shaft, it should come out if you remove the locking rings seen in the photo. Forgot the name for those. Somewhat annoying to remove without proper tools but two small flat-head screwdrivers will do the job, just make sure it doesn't fly off somewhere. That plastic piece is another poor design choice, for example TEAC uses metal parts with holes but to prevent metal on metal rubbing there is a nylon sleeve in the hole. That sleeve can break eventually but can be replaced.

deunan, e-clip

thanks for confirming about the clip i did try to poke it and get it off, but i think i need the right tool. Knowing its called e-clip also helps.

Sticking a tiny screwdriver or knife tip under it and levering it should get it off. Just make sure, like deunan already said, that it doesn't fly off ! 😀

i used a pair of angled pliers and that did the trick. So next im going to make the bracket but with the whole cylinder.

I was able to design the bracket holder in tinkercad. Took a couple rounds to get the size right. There’s a plastic tab under the rod to hold the flat cable but it’s very close to the metal rod.
I’m publishing it to thingie verse and will put the link soon.