Front derailleur anchor bolt too close to chain cage

[thecornerbooth]

I am trying to remove and replace a cracked shifter which controls the front derailleur. It is totally broken and doesn't work at all. I figure i need to get the cable out in order to replace the shifter so i am trying to remove the cable from the front derailleur. The problem is that the anchor bolt on the front derailleur is "pointing" toward the cage. If i am in the highest gear, there might be enough room to get an allen wrench in there, but it seems like i must be missing something obvious. It is a shimano acera X derailleur.

I could probably get it off by putting it into the largest gear and holding it there, but i am not sure how i would get everything back together. I also noticed that the gap between the cage and the chain ring is way off. It is maybe 4-5mm. it looks as though someone adjusted the gap to get the cable adjusted.

Any ideas on how i should proceed?

[nfmisso]

First adjust the gap.

Then adjust the lower limit screw so that the derailleur is held where you want it.

Take care of the cable.

Readjust the lower limit screw.