Ball joint removal

Well I got the tie rods all out, I'll find something tomorrow to get the upper ball joint screwed out. I'm still having issues with the lower ball joint, I put a whole bunch of wd40 on it and I'll try again tomorrow once its had time to soak.

And yea I have a pickle fork but because I'm not re-using everything so I think Ill break out the bigger hammer! Should do the trick.

Now when I replace everything do I just use the castle nut to bring them into place? and are they supposed to be torqued?