Look at picture number one. Imagine your fingers around it. Lift it up above the open jaw one foot than hit the lifter against the jaw of vice. You will be hitting the botom of the lifter. Its hard metal and it won't get damaged. You are going to be tapping the bottom of the lifter against the open vice. It only takes few taps and its out.
Yes, if the lifter fails visual inspection then replacement is needed.