I will guarantee the bolt that would not let the the lower unit drop now has damaged threads. Replace it! If the threads in the brass connector get stripped, it may be saved if the other hole is OK. You can remove it (carefully) and flip it end for end. Use a longer bolt & self locking nut in the stripped out hole to permanently attach it to the upper shift rod and use the the good lower end for assembly and disassembly. I LOVE the nail polish idea. I have been using a flashlight with a mini-bulb on the end of a goose neck to light up the hole. The shifted and connector MUST be precisely aligned or you will wipe out the streads. . . 🙂
