having trouble removing the pittman arm at drag link. do i need a pittman puller or tie rod wedge? do i have to lower the linkage or can i finagle the oil pan out.

My manual for a '76 says " remove "Y" pipe at exhaust manifolds, remove starter, remove bolts in idler arm at the frame, and disconnect pitman arm at the center link, and drop the linkage down."
There are pullers available to remove the pitman arm joint without using the tie-rod wedge. The wedge is OK if changing parts, but kind of hard on a joint you are going to put back together.

Hope this helps.......