The first photo might look slightly more dramatic than it is, here area two more:
So I tried to remove the gas compression spring of my new office chair from the sockets to send it back. It’s firmly stuck in both ends, and I read the recommendation to knock it with a rubber hammer. I couldn’t find one, so I covered the gas spring with some soft cloths and tried a regular hammer - and was a bit too enthusiastic. Is this spring still safe to use? I’m guessing/hoping that that’s not really the outer wall of the gas cartridge? It is still working, extends and compresses smoothly.
I’m unsure about the safety, but I have replaced several when they failed and I had a terrible sinking feeling. The kits come with a pair of collars that clamp onto the shaft and allow for the seat to be separated from the cylinder. From there, you can flip the wheels upside down and tap the cylinder with a hammer right in the middle of the wheels to remove it.