[Richard]

If you can rotate the wheels to give more access to get some sort of puller in there, it may help with the approach I use. I use a puller or pickle fork on the joint, then I hit the outside of the taper with a cutting torch. The idea of using a cutting torch or rosebud is to heat the outside of the fit BEFORE the inside taper gets hot and expands. This approach DOES NOT work with a propane or MAPP torch. You have to put a lot of heat on it fast. I find the joint easily pops apart this way.

BTW, the situation you found with the rod ends twisted was intentional. It is an old trick to reduce play in tie rod joints. I suppose it can be overdone to the point of binding as you discovered.

If you are looking to replace the drag link ends, my next comment is moot. If you just want to free the pinch joint so you can rotate the drag link, then you might shift your focus to the pinch joint. Heat as described above may allow the threads to turn.