Give your pickle fork a rest

These babies work like magic, got mine at harbor freight for $20. No more bashing pickle forks like a hammer mechanic.

Word of caution, the ball joint tends to come out flying like cruise missile, so be prepared and stay out of the way. Also do not use around anything valuable that could be destroyed.
This comment is true. Was not expecting the loud bang and flying parts.

I got one out without the dramatics: Got the separator tool pretty tight, then a nice tap on the ball joint with a hammer. Came out relatively gently.

The other was gnarly.