[john walker's workshop]

if the rod came off once, it will do it again unless you update the plastic ball sockets. the old ones had a lock flap in the end that was supposed to snap in place to hold the socket together. the new ones are just a tight fitting socket, no lock flap. if you think the old ones are tough to pop on, try these. lift the unit up off the floor, slide the rod back toward the motor lever, get the socket worked over on top of the ball, and use a large screwdriver to pop it on, levering/twisting off the side of the housing. takes a few tries. then attach the front ball and socket. the motor needs to be cycled to the off position so it's ball arm is farthest to the front before doing this.