In all honesty it is a very easy thing to do .. If the seal is hard which I'm sure they are you might want to replace them ( they will maybe be ruined by the time you get them out ) I used Graphite embedded packing wick on mine and just worked a few threads around the shaft pushing it into place firmly as I went building it up to the point where the washer pushes against it a tad when installed , with room for the clip ,, If you get it packed in good and tight around the shaft you will be able to remove the shaft and reinstall it without any problem , it will hold the shape it takes around the shaft . Will not get hard will not leak , expand , shrink or burn out in service .. beats the seals all to hell ( If you want PM me with your mailing address and I will throw a piece in an envelope and send it to you ). .. .. The clips you should be able to buy at a good automotive store or even a hardware store .. It seems to me there is a right and left hand shaft so they will not necessarily be in the same position .. They are not just a rod they are like the outside of a choke cable so if you have been twisting hard you could have pooched one of them but you won't know until you get them out .. Enjoy but take your time and remember where things go

 

I ultimately took Gerald M's recommendation and disassembled the actuator rods from the LIM. I was initially hesitant because of the unknown, but it was super simple. Gerald M was kind enough to send me a sample of wick material (picture) that I used in place of the rubber seal. It worked especially good. Once reassembled and lubricated the actuator rods now rotate smoothly and easily.

 

Glad everything worked out for you . I have had tons of help here at the forum , I feel I owe it to the members to help out if I can ,,.. Have a good one Gerald m