Single ram tilt trim rebuild??

[Railroader12]

I had a leaking trim ram on a 1999 90 mercury 2 stroke. Ordered the seal kit and tore it apart, everything is out, other than I'm stuck at the piston/rod.... I cant figure out how to remove the lower threaded section so I can replace the dust seal that seals the rod itself, which happens to be the ONLY seal/oring that actually needs replacing! I tried heat and penetrant to loosen things but am scared to put it in a vice or grips. Seems like those piston assemblies are far and few between if I destroy or gouge it too bad I'll be screwed.

Anyone??

 

[Railroader12]

To clarify....I need to replace the seal in the top cap, which requires unthreading/removing the lower section to slide the top cap off. Heres a pic of what I'm reffering to.

 

[Railroader12]

I got it off. Anyone in the future stuck at the same point just use the spanner wrench you used to remove the top cap and clamp the piston carefully in a vice. I placed the spanner wrench into the holes where the ball bearings/springs seat. Didnt mess anything up and I can finally get it back together.