A tie rod end remover works pretty well for all the connections in the steering system, i.e. pitman arm to control valve, center link to cylinder, etc. If you insist on hitting the end of the stud, leave the nut on the end of the threads.......
(When removing the control valve from the pitman arm, it helps to leave the nut on to help guide the puller, otherwise it will slip and piss you off....)