Before I go and break something by being over enthusiastic, can anyone confirm that the rod only needs a little encouragement to be removed now that I've drilled out the rivets that hold the swivel ball end things . I can praise each of the four ball retainer plates, so they are loose, but the bar still won't come out. I've removed the centre retaining plate. Does it simply need a tap? To me it still seems too solid, but I cannot see anything else that could be stopping it coming out. Has anyone else removed one?

 

I removed mine about a year ago. It has been re-plated and is ready to go back in some day. If I recall correctly, the bearing has to come completely off the shaft on the non-throttle pedal side. The other bearing needs to be loose but does not need to come off the shaft, which is a good thing because it cannot come off due to the bend to the throttle pedal and the brazed on cylindrical piece that the throttle link attaches to. The process may be different since, assuming your car is RHD. Mine is LHD.
I'll assume that you disconnected the shaft from the pedal assembly inside the car. The ball in the bearing should be free to slide on the shaft so if yours will not slide and are frozen to the shaft, that is where you need to concentrate your efforts. I think the ball is brass so it should not be rusted to the steel rod. Penetrating oil and gentle persuasion with a hammer should work it loose. I think I saw the bearings at SNGBarrett but they were very expensive. Best to save yours if possible. Good luck. I recall that it was not a lot of fun.
Your picture was very helpful since I had no idea where the ground strap attached to the body.

 

Great, thanks for the reply and confirmation cdg66mk2, I've soaked it in releasing oil today, and will attempt to remove in a day or so. Glad you also gained some info with my photo... How did we ever manage before the internet?

 

Well, whaddya know..After a clean up of the rod, some releasing oil and a gentle tap....out she popped! Thanks again for the info cdg66mk2...

 

I could smell the success from here! Congratulations! I'm glad nothing was broken.
Now that it is out I see that it looks very different from mine. Mine has a two right angle bends where it connects to the throttle pedal. There is no way that I could remove the bearing on that side being that it was trapped between the bend and the brazed on cylinder where the link to the carbs (or kick down link) mounts.
Note to self. Don't forget to put it back in before the engine.

 

I could smell the success from here! Congratulations! I'm glad nothing was broken.
Now that it is out I see that it looks very different from mine. Mine has a two right angle bends where it connects to the throttle pedal. There is no way that I could remove the bearing on that side being that it was trapped between the bend and the brazed on cylinder where the link to the carbs (or kick down link) mounts.
Note to self. Don't forget to put it back in before the engine.

 

Yeah, I guess there are many subtle differences between LHD vs RHD, more than simply a mirror image. At least it came out without an issue in the end, I can put it aside and refurbish before refitting. Problem with working on old cars is that parts are either expensive, very expensive or unavailable, which makes me ultra careful. (probably a good thing!). Fortunately this worked out fine, and a very good point, fit before engine.