Chevrolet Repair: BALL JOINTS, lower ball joints, pickle fork

Question
i AM ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 BLAZER. dO YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BEARING ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT TO GET THE LOWER BALL JOINT OUT OR IS THERE SOME SORT OF TRICK? THE BALL JOINT KEEPS ON HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVE SHAFT  

Answer
Well Nate, what we normally do in the shop is remove the entire spindle from the truck. Disconnect the upper ball joint, the tie rod and remove the axle nut. Tap the spindle at the upper ball joint to get it to release (or use a pickle-fork) and do the same at the tie rod end.then loosen the lower ball joint nut and tap it so it also releases from the spindle.then all you have to do is tap the axle back and wiggle the spindle out. That gives you all the room you need to do the ball joints. Good luck, hope this helps.