Best tools for separating tie rods and control arm ball joints

Bodyperson said
Thats pretty cool. It helps to use 2 hammers To “break” the taper. Hold a 2 pounder one one side of the knuckle and a smack it with a dead blow ball pean on the other side. Usually that’s all you really need. Shock it about ten times and give it a little direction. No taper break? Do it some more. Make sure the joint isnt in a bind.

This but use two five pounders. I rarely need more than one hit and it won't damage the spindle if you aim carefully. Pickle forks are for trips to the salvage yard where I don't feel like lugging hammers around and might need to tension a taper shaft to keep it from spinning.