ball joint and tie rod end removal

[chrismoore701]

I am tearing my fram down and got into the front suspension last night. 79 stepside and I do not think anything has ever been removed. I am having a hell of a time getting the castle nuts off because the cotter pins are rusted. Any ideas. I am just breaking them off and smashing them flat with a punch and getting the nuts off with an impact. Just takes alot of work to smash the cotter pins. and what is the best way to get the springs out. I was going to wrap the upper and lower control arms with a ratchet strap and partially lossen the bottom ball joint then release the strap.