old 300

I was wondering if someone could answer a couple questions about the waste gate on a 2001 auto. I was looking at it yesterday and after having one stick on a 95 ford f-800 Cummins was wondering if mine could be stuck as well. I tried to move it by hand and found out that the turbo gets a bit hot after the engine runs for several minutes.. Then I put a wrench on it and didn't want to put too much pressure on it and break something. The thing is the truck has never worked or been run over 2000 rpm. It has been babyed to the extreme. I know the gate has never had to open so I figure the gate is stuck.
The question is does the rod push or pull and if it is stuck how do I free it and do I need to worry about being stuck closed? I drive it very easy, it doesn't need to work up a sweat.