inner tie rod. 97 grand am 3.1

it looks like i can unbolt it from the top of the engine no problem. but my question is about the lock plate. do you just pry those tabs out and take it off, do you have to break it off? do you NEED to replace it? after that is off, it looks like you can just unbolt it and slip the inner tie rod off, pretty simple right? im just worried about that locking plate and if its gonna give me problems.

yes it holds both nuts locked in place, it is simple to take off and when you replace the bushings there make sure the new locking plate is tight.