Separating inner track tie rods from a rack

[Pupp]

Inner rods need changing on my Gooner hack... think they are just treaded into the rack ends but not sure the originals have a spanner flat to undo (the replacements seem to have). Am I likely to damage the rack by getting the stilsons on it? Have seem some specialist tools for the job that look like stud extractors but they still only apply a turning force to the rod... steady pressure or belt it?

Obviously not wanting to put excessive side loads on the pinion...

[fareaster]

There is a very real risk that you could bend the pinion. Put a large open ended spanner over the rack tooth flat and pull against that, you won't damage the teeth, they have been hardened.