A bottle jack?...Sounds like it would work out alright. I've usually got the truck up on a lift, so I'd never thought about using a bottle jack. I did however have to lower the truck onto a long piece of 4x4 once to put enough upward pressure on the link. But that was in a wet application and it probably hadn't had grease in over a year :D.....Fun times.
I have used a bottle jack to put pressure on the link to get it to pop out of the steering knuckle. I like the idea of the chisel. Maybe a combination of both methods will help on a stubborn link.
Crown does sell the generic Fork Tool used to seperate the "dogbone" links in the steering, however there's a way around this without damaging the seals, however I'd recommend replacing them anyway.
If you Take the caps, cotter pins, and nuts off, Crank the wheel (start with the left) you should be able to fit a mid sized chisel between the steer link and the axle frame. Hammer it in tight to hold pressure, and give the top of the "dogbone" link a good wack with a large hammer. The shock should pop them apart without damaging the seals, and I've found works better than that Fork Tool (aka Pickle Fork).
Repeat on both ends of both sides (left and right) and then the steer cylinder is free from the Knuckles, and you don't have to remove the wheels either. If you have a lift this should be complete in around an hours time.
thank you tonymfg for information
crown has seperation tool for this specific job. Have done hundreds on the 50 fc's. dont forget to order seals. You are going to destroy the old ones.
Steer link? Are you referring to the steer axle,or the universal joint in the steer columm?