An apparatus and a method for removing a hip socket liner from surface attachment to a socket, that includes providing a carrier and multiple penetrators carried to be displaced relative to the carrier, inserting the carrier in the liner so that the penetrators project toward a liner cup-shaped surface, effecting controlling limited forceful displacement of tips defined by the penetrators toward and into said liner cup-shaped surface, and transmitting pushing force acting between the carrier and hip socket whereby the liner is suddenly freed from attachment to the socket.