Duff rear suspension?

Just been replacing the rear shock on my 04 RSVR Factory and I thought I would check the linkage while I was down there.
The single conrod is very stiff to move at the forward pivot and there is brown ooze coming out of the rear bearing on this link. Not a good sign. It looks easy enough to replace this according to the Aprilia Workshop manual but the practice may not be.

The manual says to loosen and remove the securing nut on the left hand side of the single conrod and remove the bolt from the right. All well and good but the exhaust appears to be in the way on the right hand side (plus the bolt doesn't appear to want to move despite heat, shock and lots of WD40).
My question to you guys is, is there a trick to getting the bolt out or do I need to remove the exhaust section to get a hex wrench in there to put some turning motion on it and to give me clearance to extract the bolt?

Can't get back onto it till next weekend so got time to think.
Thanks.

Kevin

Thanks Spoonz,

I had intended to replace the bearings 'cos of the stiff action and the gunk ooze. I see from the Ultimate Parts website that the entire unit is about £95 for the complete asembly so didn't think that was too bad. I even managed to get the rear header loosened last night without shearing anything so I'll give dropping the collector a go next weekend, then I should be able to get a 3/8" drive in there with an hex drive. If that don't shift it, I'll be asking for more suggestions.

Cheers,,
Kevin

Duff Rear suspension?

Hmm!

Tried moving the rear header and down-pipe out of the way but not enough movement available si still can't get a hex head in there to help move the livot bolt.

Tried splitting the rear half of the system from the front down-pipe but they must like each other a lot as I can't get them apart. Tried heat, mallet and wooden block, vibration, WD40 etc. but not even a slight movement between them. Looks like I may have to take the front headers off. Which means the oil and water radiators off as well. So much for having it back together by christmas; well, christmas 2009 at any rate.

Only good thing is, it was a good job I found the bearing duff now rather than on the road.

If anyone has some helpful hints that I may not have tried yet, they would be much appreciated.

kevin