Found it easier to remove the four screws in step 16, then rotate the drive out of the plastic frame so the tape acts as a hinge, making it easy to peel the tape. This also eliminates step 17 as the tabs vacate their slots as the drive is rotated.
Used plastic spudgers as levers, one pointed to start in the corner, then two flat, working across gently. When I got to the middle and pried a bit, the top lifted all the way across, allowing access to the cable in the next step. I decided against doing this with the unit standing vertically.
