Give me your best method of separating a sand encrusted shaft.

[landman]

I have an Excal and I want to separate the two rods for cleaning. Do I spray it with silicon to get it slippery, soak the rod in water or what?

 

[therover]

I found soaking/running under hot water for a few minutes and then run cold water over it can expand and then contract the rods, which makes it easier to pull them apart. WD-40 works well too.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Therover took the words out of my mouth with using WD-40.
Penetrating oil would also work should be able to get it from a automotive store.

 

[pistolpete]

Our method; remove the electronics from the shaft. Take the end cap out of the shaft if you have one. Run fresh water down inside the end of the shaft and after loosening the cam lock, if you have one, tap the end of the aluminum shaft on a block of wood on your driveway. Twist the lower rod while tapping the upper shaft and apply water. You will be amazed at the amount of sand/silt that comes out the end of the shaft. We have always be able to loosen a frozen shaft using this method. Hope it works for you too.....Pete

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

n/t

 

[tvr]

I have done the warm / cold water cycle and finish with pistolpete's technique.
tvr