Progress! Often these cars sit in the garage too much, at least in the US, and driving them every day for a month gets things working better.
Plugs in these cars are on a 30k or 60k change schedule. Yours is an early one so 30k is standard I think.
Track rod, if you are refering to the tie rod ends on steering rack. I use my air impact hammer on the threaded end to pop them out. That is the way I do most ball joints also.
I have a "pickle" fork that I used before I got the compressor. That tends to pinch & cut the rubber boot so only if I am tossing the old part.
Pickle fork
pickle fork.wmv - YouTube
Clamp type
How to use a tie rod end removal tool - YouTube
Amazon.com: OTC 7315A Universal Tie Rod End Remover: Home Improvement