There are any number of ways to do work arounds, I've done that one before ms. spice. Other ways to try are:
Option 1
Knife tool in cs2 doesn't have a shortcut, but it's underneath the scissors tool (c). This handy dandy tool will separate your vector object into two different paths viola!
Now I don't remember when they made this tool, cuz I used to think it was a lot harder to separate your objects, so not sure which older versions have it.
Option 2
The eraser tool, Underneath the pencil tool (n). if you add new anchor points with the pen tool (p) where you would like to slice your object you can then take the eraser tool and go around the outside of the object and you will delete your section. You should rejoin your object with the new shape or close it off with the pen tool.
Option 3
My favorite, quick and dirty. Take the direct select tool (white arrow)(a) and select the part of the object you wish to delete. *delete button* This usually only works if you have a protruding part or if you wish to keep that part. Copy then delete it and recopy it and you have a separated object...yay!
Option 4
Make a shape such as a square over your object, get your pathfinder window open Window>Pathfinder. Then with both your square and your object selected press the subtract from shape area button. Second to left button under shape modes. And now you have a cut away square or in your case and amputee.
So those are a few of the ways to work around illustrator, way too many possibilities but I remember it taking me forever to just figure out something that should be simple...deleting.
Hope this is helpful, if not...confusing.