[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Well, WD-40 is your first mistake. It sucks as a lubricant, since it's mostly alcohol. Try Liquid Wrench, or better yet PB Blaster, or best Aero Kroyl. Hit the joint from all angles.

Since the rear joint usually seems to have at least some tranny fluid dripping onto it, it usually isn't that bad to remove. Grab the bar in one hand and the "T" piece in the other, and wiggle. You should be able to break it loose by hand. I generally do the rear join first, and pull the "T" off of the gear selector.

Pull both shift rods aft, and grab the tail end of the front one with some TIGHT vise-grips. Grab the U-joint in one hand, the vise-grips in the other, and twist back and forth. You should be able to crack it loose that way.

Make sure you have removed the cone set-screw entirely first, just taking it halfway out won't work.

--DD