back in the day, A welding torch and a spanner was used in the garages I worked in - even the fast fit ones....
but i guess they are probably too close to something flammable, or the guy isn't confident enough to heat it up.
Quite common, I would just pop off the track rod ends and replace the whole lot.. Its not very expensive. But once popped off you can then soak and play with it in a vice to try and salvage it if you wish.