guys seriously i tried hard to twist the black ring on the bottom of the **** but it won't budge at all, is it clockwise or counterclockwise? and I feel like it's gonna break the whole thing if I use a plier or something.
I found some pics online for the one I am working on, I'm not even sure if I'm twisting the right thing now, I should twist the black ring on the very left, correct?

 

counter clockwise it'll turn 1/4 turn then pull up firmly , the **** will slide off. it turns pretty easily usually