A defective focusing coil, impregnated with and held in place with epoxy is removed from its inner lead liner and its outer brass housing by immersing the assembled parts in a bath of liquid nitrogen until the temperature of the assembly is reduced to the temperature of the liquid nitrogen, about -350.degree. F. The assembly is then removed from the bath and a series of sharp blows are then directed to the side of the brass housing to break the bond between the super cooled epoxy and the housing. Axial pressure is then applied to the coil, to remove the coil and liner. The coil is then cut longitudinally into two half cylinders, whereupon the coil is split from the liner, all without injury to either the liner or the housings.