I finally understand what you were describing. There are two holes accessible from the bottom. I stuck a flat screwdriver in the hole closest to the gas tank and I could feel something turning while I turned the knob. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to stop the retainer from spinning.
It looks like I'm going to have to use a hole saw to cut the housing around the knobs. Maybe I'll be able to get the knobs off when I can see what I'm doing.