I would guess ,and I hate to be the bearer of bad news,but the p.o wore out the matching gears on the handle,not the shaft by not keeping the screw tight.He wiggled the lever up and down and all around till the soft gears on the handle were not meshing correctly. And a very long screw ,not the correct one is part of the problem.I would try wedges on both side of the handle to pull straight up.Last but not least,you could drill a hole thru the top of the handle,to see what your dealing with,I know thats not pretty but might work till you decide the next thing to do.Its only a hobby!!!!!
|