Update: Got it. Wound up having to tap the bolt side in, then tap the rod back the other way from inside the back with a light brass punch and a light hammer.

Couple more hours cleaning, moving the rack, soaking, and oiling and I got the rack to move about 25mm both ways, and snap back to center, as it should be.

Everything in the IP seems to be in order now. We'll see what happens when I put all the cover plates back on and put it in.

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1968 230S Automatic, Elfenbein
1975 O309D Executive Westfalia Camper Bus, Blau/ Weiss
1972 280SEL 4,5 Dunkelrot
1966 VW Type 34 "Grosser" Karmann-Ghia
1963 VW 1500 Variant Pearlweiss
1969 VW Variant Automatic, Perugruen
1971 VW Squareback Automatic, Clementine Orange
2001 E320 4Matic Wagon- Our belated welcome to the 21st century! Polar White
1973 280SEL 4,5 Sliding Roof "The Bomb", Dunkelblau.