I got the tool and I dont think I can get it to work. The bolt for the joint points upward and the axle is in the way. Am I missing something? Looks like the tool is made for downward pointing ball joint bolts.

You mean you got a pickle fork?

Or a tool like this?

I don't see how that will work on our cars, but this one might.

I still think a pickle fork is the way to go. Any style of tool that presses the ball joint out is fine if you don't want to reuse the ball joint; the press out style of tool will damage the ball joint by mis-shaping the socket or blow the ball out the end. At least that has been my experience.
I just looked at my car and I don't see any problem with using a pickle fork. I may be misunderstanding your goal.
And I just read through the thread again to figure out what you are trying to do, sounds like you want to take the spindle off. A pickle fork won't necessarily damage the ball joint, but it usually shreds the rubber boot on it. Boots are cheap and easier to replace than a ball joint.

no i got a different tool - looks like a pulley remover

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7315A.html

It was supposed to work with ball joints too. But I cant figure out how if you cant get to the bolt.

Looks like im gonna have to use the fork

Please refer to my previous post, I was editing as you were replying.
I don't believe you will be able to use that tool.
Why not use a pickle fork?

nothing'* wrong with the fork. It'* just that I bought two tools to remove this and this will be the third.

When I use a fork, the rubber boot usually gets torn. :?

I'd rather rip the boot than blow out the ball joint. The boot is a lot easier to replace than the entire ball joint.

thats why i suggested the press. it wont damage the boot, nor the joint.

Two observations:

1.) seperate the strut from the spindle and take the axle out. It'* coming out anyways, so popping it out now before attacking the ball joints will clear the area above the ball joint and let you get the tool in there. Pull the control arm bolts and the entire spindle/control arm/axle can come out as an assembly to work on.

2.) use the pickle fork. I tend not to worry about what happens to the boot or the ball joint. If I'm going through the effort of dissassembling the suspension to the point where I'm poppin' ball joints, then I'm taking the control arms all the way off and putting new bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends in anyways (just cost effective to do it at one time, then trying to reuse them and doing the replacements later) Yeah, it'* another $100 worth of parts, but you'll zero mile the front suspension in the process.

Yeah I was gonna replace everything anyway. Especially taking in account that I'm putting in a new engine. I do like to do everything non destructive manner just to learn how to do it right for later.