I worked on the rod ends last night. I actually put a bolt in the rod end ball that I could put in a drill to spin the ball around. Then I submerged it in water that I mixed some glass polishing compound with. Took a few minuted for each end but after enough spinning in the solution they finally loosened up to where they move freely.

The pedal does feel better now but it is hard to say until I can drive it, and I can't do that until it stops raining some day