There are no pins beneath it.
The pins are on bottom of processor for AMD's AM3, the socket has only holes and that lever moves the top plastic bit sideways a bit to apply slight pressure to the side of the pin, pressing it against it's contact point and at same time, "locking" it in place.
Said locking rarely works though and processor can and often is lifted up along with the cooler (due to thermal paste being sticky) which can result in.. as shown in picture, a pin being stuck and having been ripped off of processor.
I am 99% sure that the socket itself is fine as long as you get that single pin out. If you take the socket apart, i'm 99% sure you will break said socket.
That said, to prove myself right, I dug out old AM2 board (same socket layout) and took it apart.
Removing the black cooler attachment is easy, ph2 screws and that is it.
turn lever open/upright
pull lever out from the socket. (yes, sideways, completely, unlike in my picture) and then you can pull the top plastic part up from the socket AM3 side.
You will likely end up with a mess, old heated up plastic is not most durable material.