(ET) How to free a snowthrower rod........

[Chris Zach <czach computer org>]

So I have the control rod for my thrower. And it is supposed to be two 
parts, one that slides within the other. Very important since the 
distance between the bracket and the blower varies as you push things 
around, lift/lower the blower, etc.

So I tried to pull it apart. Nope.

Then I tried heat and a hammer. Nope.

Then I hung it from my shed's eye bolt in the roof and tried to pull it 
apart with my weight. Nope.

Today I decided to get them apart. First I hooked it into the eyebolt in 
the roof of the shed with the handle. Then I attached the bottom hook to 
an engine hoist and attached the engine hoist to the heaviest thing in 
my shed: A 1969 Porshce 911E engine. 400 lbs.

Lifted the engine. Still didn't move. Then started hammering on the hook 
with a hammer, a maul, and finally a sledgehammer.

After repeated hits, and soaking the rod in penetrating oil it finally 
started to slip apart. Turns out it was rusted on the inside.

I cleaned everything up, sanded down the rods, and coated them in grease 
before re-assembly. Now it works perfectly.

Chris