Mahoo:
I made a tool for my own retracts with the same problem that might help. Take a piece of scrap flat steel bar about a foot long, 1/4 in. thick and 3/4 to 1 in. wide. About 1/2 in. from the end cut a slot across the 1/4 in. edge, a 1/4 in deep, the thickness of the wire. Slide the gear wire into the slot. Now you have a handle. Bend the wheel end with one hand and the steel bar with the wire in it with the other hand. Works for me. Hopes this helps. If I didn't explain it very well, let me know. Puts no strain on the gear mechanism or wing.