Thanks, though based on the feel, I don't think its rust thats holding this on. It slides up/down with a push, than stops abruptly. I'm thinking a burr where the set screw thread in. If I can get the whole rod out, I can put it in a vise and give it a little motivation to come off with a hammer. As it is now, all I can do is put a vise grip on the rod, and try to pry it off using that as the fulcrum. I don't want to damage the lever casting in the process.
