[Raptor]

None of you are ever working on my tie rods :razz2:

Go rent a tie rod press. It will be the safest, least amount of headache, less chance for damage, and not very expensive way to go. Pickle forks work but are a major PITA unless they are attatched to an air hammer and then you still do damage to the joint usually. Heat should always be saved as a last resort due to the collateral damage it can cause. I have seen all your methods mentioned work and fail as well, when they fail it is expensive and happens often enough to not make it worth the risk. The other method sort of mentioned was to hit the knuckle with a hammer, I have only seen that work when there was another hammer on the opposite side in effect pinching the tapered shaft out, it works so so but not as easily as a press.

Hope that helps.