Can't tighten P16 dolphin striker

I have tried to tighten the dolphin striker but it will not move. I loosened the step ball and screw on the bottom. I am afraid to pull too hard. Any suggestions? icon_confused

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Mark

Prindle 16 and Laguna 18DS
Ripon, WI
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sorry to tell you, but this could get real ugly. I drilled out the rivets and removwed the base casting from the beam. I'm a machinist with all the tools (including torch!) I need, and it took me DAYS of effort to get it loose. In the end I removed so much thread from the aluminum casting that I had to install a giant Heli-coil thread insert, and had to make a new rod. My low buck sugestion is to drill out the rivets, and put a ss washer or two below the rod to take up the excess space. The only other choice is a new casting and rod. Hope this helps

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Repairable P18
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