Using some sticky gloves (if your hands are slipping) put the rod behind your back, gripping each side of the rod. Slid it down to behind your knees, with your hands tight against the out side of your knees. Now push out with your knees to the side, against your hands, with a little luck it should come apart. This works for a couple reasons, 1 your legs are stronger than your arms, 2 and more importantly is that this way you are normally pulling apart strait, so that you don't break the rod. I hope you can follow my explanation.
