After sitting in the garage with tool in hand staring at the hole for quite a while I decided to skip track rod joint replacement and just fix the brakes. I know that it's possible to replace the joint with the spring still in place, but I didn't feel comfortable fumbling around with it there.
I have all the parts though to fix it, I'll just pass them on to the next owner, let them handle it.
But I replaced the front brake pads, rotors, and calipers while I was in there, stops like a champ now
Thanks for the help guys
-Alan