Rear HICAS ball joint removal

[A Paratroopers 300zx]

How the F*** do you remove the ball joints that the HICAS tie rods connect to? I have tried everything short of burning them out with a torch. I can't get a ball joint press in there because of various suspension components and I really don't want to take the hub/knuckle off. I am going to rent ball joint separator forks tomorrow to get the outer tie rod off, but I still need to remove the ball joint from the hub. Any ideas?

[KYZAAC]

did you get the ball joints out yet?
i just finished mine, i put the knuckle in the vise and cranked the acetylene on them til they were red as f***
i used a 4lb hammer and hit the threaded part until the joint popped out
then i took a 13/16" spark plug socket, flipped it upside down [part that normally connects to ratchet] and hit it from the opposite side of where the threads were, beat the f*** out of it until it comes out. its a bastard.
its best to have 1 person heating and 1 person beating on it.

[A Paratroopers 300zx]

Damn! Yes, I did get them out with A LOT of finesse! I ended up not removing the knuckle and just worked a ball joint press (looks like a huge C clamp) in there and pressed those little bastards out. You're right though, such a nightmare! I don't think I'll ever be doing it again... lol. Thanks for your input though