bozie

My 96 Cherokee Sport is a bear to get into granny low, even with the slow roll shift in neutral like the manual calls for. Once in it tends to jump out almost immediately. In regular high 4WD the light will sometimes go and off also and you have to pull back on the lever to to keep it engaged. I checked the linkage and shifter rod is bent, probably from a former owner who tried to fix the problem with pure force. I haven't pulled the rod yet. My question is, would you guys replace the rod or pull and straighten the old one. The manual I have calls for adjusting the linkage with the shift lever pulled back as far as possible with a 1/8 shim behind it while you loosen the bolt and make sure the rod is pushed forward and free. Is there is better way?