Q: Why do I need to use a ball joint separator for the joints with the tie rod and track rod - can I not just undo the castellated nuts from the bolt ends (after removing the cotter pins) and drop the tie rod and track rod ends from the idler drop arm?

A: In theory you can just drop the tie rod and the track rod from their joints with the SIB after removing cotter pins and nuts. In practice they may not drop out so easily. It really depends on the car conditions.
- Andrea -