Yes and no!
You have to disconnect the ball joint, but not the tie rod end.
Do you want to know the easy way to disconnect the ball joint?
If you look carefully at the strut housing in this photo you will notice that there is an indention at the bottom of the cartridge housing right above the ball joint mounting tab. On the car, you will see a castle nut with a cotter pin installed. You will need a stout flat washer with a hole just large enough to fit over the ball joint stud and a socket just deep enough to slip over the stud and slide right under the bottom of the cartridge tube.
Remove the cotter pin and just break the castle nut free. Slip the washer over the stud and let it rest on top of the castle nut. Now slip the socket over the stud and push it up against the bottom of the cartridge tube. Slowly start loosening the castle nut. This will push the socket up against the bottom of the tube. Continue turning the nut and it will push the ball joint stud right out of the hole in the tab.
Undo the brake line connector from the strut, compress the spring and then remove the three nuts from the top of the strut housing. Lower the strut housing from under the wing.
[url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Site/Triumph%20TR-7.html"]Photos of needle bearing kit installation[/url]
Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,
jclay
