I'm in the process of cleaning up and reassembling the steering linkage on my '53 3100. I'm working on the drag link (sometimes called a connecting rod). It's the bar that goes between the Pitman arm and front axle steering linkage. This one is badly caked with dirt and old grease. Can this be further disassembles for better cleaning and painting? I'd like to get the balls with threaded screws out of their sockets, but can't figure out how GM got them in there.

The "Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual" let's this part fall between the cracks. It isn't covered in the steering section or the front axle section. The "Factor Assembly Manual" shows how to install this piece, but they show it as a pre-assembled unit.

The bar seems to be in good working order. I'd hate to buy a new one just because I can't clean up the old one. Especially since they cost $55.