Tight Joints

Check you have not got any muck or dirt in your joints mate, that always a problem for me. Failing that just grip hard and twist dont just pull apart.

try a tiny spray of silicone spray available from allparts on the micklefield road

Had a good look at the rod and it is very clean. 

I will give the silicon spray a try (thanks silurian), I know where you mean.

Cheers,
Adrian

try wiping the joints with a damp cloth sometimes u get a very fine carbon dust inbetween the joints which u would struggle to see but can cause tight joints