replacing lower ball joint 94 4wd XE

[Handselart]

I'm having difficulties replacing a lower ball joint. There is not room between the axle and the knuckle to get the balljoint out. I read one post that suggested that un bolting the axle allowed room to slide it back enough to replace. Can anyone go into detail about this? Will I need to remove the brake caliper? And is this something I'll need to tap w a mallet to scoot?
Any help is appreciated. I'll also need to replace an upper axle boot on the other side. Is getting this axle out difficult?
Thank you very much.

[sweetride2go]

Removing the axle isn't that bad, just time consuming, and I found it necessary when replacing the ball joints on my truck as there isn't enough room to get the bolts out that hold the lower ball joint in place. Your best bet is to pull the locking/auto hub off and remove the snaprings from the shaft, this will allow some movement of the axle on the spindle side, but I ended up pulling the whole axle, which will also include removing the bolts from the diff housing.

Good luck

[Handselart]

Thank you very much.