[Oldie Goldie]

MrFixr55, ok that's what I thought it was. I hope it wasn't some mystery piece that was inside that was stopping this whole thing in its tracks that I didn't know about.
So I guess I'm not missing any parts.

The reason this thing isn't staying together is because it's worn out.

I even tried shimming it up with something.

I'm still open to the possibility I'm not pushing the inner rod in at the right moment or something weird.

For the time being I put it all together, bagged the ball bearings and spring up. And just slapped the fine control on the outer knob with sticky putty.