X-Post: Help Me Straighten a Bent Cog

I posted this on Drivetrain four days ago. No bites. Ideas here?

- q

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I had a SRAM 990 11 - 34 cassette that worked flawlessly for me. When I finally had to replace it a few weeks ago I went with an XT cassette 11 - 34 instead, because I thought I wanted the closer gear ratios across the big cogs that SRAM doesn't offer. Mistake. Does not shift as nicely. PLUS, I've already managed to bend the second-largest cog. Anyone have practical first-hand advice about how to straighten one of these? (Note: it's the whole ring that's bent, not just a tooth.) Is there a way to deconstruct the whole thing like you used to be able to do in the ancient pre-cassette days with a freewheel? If I could do that then I feel like I'd have a shot at getting the thing straight.

Thanks!