64 C10 Can't... Get...Ball Joint... Off

[javadoc]

I think that I've invented a few new curse words while working on my truck this week. We're putting in a 383, and of course while that's going on, I decided to put the new suspension (a static 3/5 drop) on the truck! Yes, a lot to get done.

Anyway, I'm trying to get the lower ball joint separated from the spindle so that I can lower the A-arm, and remove the spring. I think that the ball joints must be original b/c they'r riveted in. At any rate, I've been whaling on my pickle fork and it just stops going in further between the spindle and the ball joint. As added comedy, the pickle fork has stubbornly gotten itself stuck and no amount of cursing and talking bad about its mother will free it.

Does anyone have a trick to removing stubborn ball joints? I'm tempted to (assuming I can get the pickle fork liberated) throw it back together and when the truck's running, drive it to the local mechanic and throw money at it. Let THEM share in my misery.

At any rate, thank you in advance for any advice that will help me make progress!