Ok. I finally found the time and motivation to tackle the tie rod ends. Once I got the electric grinder and bench vise from HF, it was a piece of cake. It took some significant persuasion to get the ball studs out; even after I ground the flange off and drilled them out.
The other issue I had was trying to separate the steering arm off the drivers side. The tie rod came off the curved arm that bolts to the hub but I couldn't get the steering arm off the other end. I needed a pickle fork and didn't have one. Failure to plan!!
Anyway, the new ends went right on with no issues and look great. I can't really feel any difference when driving, since the old ones were in pretty good shape. I feel safer and I'm happy I could pull off a more involved job.
