Once upon a time I was replacing CV joint boots on a 2002 or 2004 Buick Century , Which necessitates pulling the half shaft .
( Caught the problem soon after the boots split and it had just began to sling grease . The CV joints were still OK .
)
I found this to be easier if I took the tie rod end off the spindle . One came loose using a hammer . ended up using a pickle fork on the other side . Naturally I messed up the rubber boot .
Being cheap , I did not wish to purchase a new tie rod end just to get the new boot . I did some internet searching & found NAPA had a new boot in stock , separately . Problem solved .
But , while using the hammer , I had screwed the castle nut back on the ball joint shaft / stud & pounded on the nut . Well , I had messed up the thread at the top of the " castle " .
Had to wait until the next day and purchase a new castle nut at a nut & bolt store .
Best of luck to you all ,