While the tie rod ends are on their way, I thought I would take the front drive shaft off to see if that would eliminate the drivetrain vibration. Welp, I failed like a miserable bitch . I couldn't budge the front shaft bolts and while I could push it a little more, I got scared and decided I don't want to deal with that.
Next, I tried to remove the metal shield under the transfer case so I could drain the transfer case fluid and managed to just twist off the mounting bolt The other bolt was smashed at some point and has been mangled to a point that I can no longer get a socket on it. So the shield will stay on by that one mangled head bolt. Ended up draining the transfer case with shield in place, made a mess on the garage floor and refilled the case with fresh 75w-90 synthetic fluid.
The saga continues...
I twisted off all three bolts holding the metal shield in place. Now I get to play extraction..... I feel your pain.