I picked up a replacement at an auto store, got one end off of the old one, but the end that goes to the middle of the linkage is in there pretty tight, should I just bang away with a pickle fork?

 

Might try a pitman arm puller, set on there so the legs hit either side of the bar and starting pushing it out. Thats what I used and it was on there pretty good.

Like this guy:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-3120-lisle-41900.aspx

The best way is with heat and BFH.

 

i will give that a shot. I tried heating it up and bashing it, but that didn't help me any, might not have got it hot enough though.

 

I used the pitman arm puller too, loaded it up got it pretty tight, tapped it with a hammer and it just popped out.