I just did the other side.... This time the upper ball joint is frozen but the lower came without too much effort.

At this point it is clear to me that that is what I am running into, frozen ball joints. One upper, one lower. I know how much force I was able to put on particularly the first lower ball joint. I thought about the amazon puller. Earlier I saw a post recommending it and it is sitting in my Amazon list, but not ordered.

I think I will take them to a local fellow that does front end work, the one who did the original diagnosis and as for an estimate for doing the ball joints which would include separating the frozen ones. I presume they have tricks up their sleeves. Torches, pneumatics... something. If he's charging in the $100 hr range I would think he could do it in that time and it would be worth it to me. I can get an opinion from him on the passanger upper ball joint which looks like a pain to get to under batteries and the like judging from the driver's side I am bringing to him. The one removed because it was frozen to the steering knuckle.

When I bought my parts I only got one track rod mount. That looks like a part replaceable without tearing apart everything. Have people replaced on general principle when on is rebuilding a front end?

The question that begs is whether you understand the proper procedure for removing the tapered joints?

If you do, which I sense is not the situation, then it is not a PITA. If you do not, then it's much worse than a PITA..........it's nearly impossible.