Monicle: That's not bad for a driveway method. I might use it someday. Maybe if I ever find one that I can't get to separate the way I usually do it.

But if you have both front wheels off the ground, room for a big ass prybar, and a room to swing a BFH, I think separating the lower ball joint is way faster and easier. Just 2 bolts, get someone to pry on the lower arm, and 1 good whack on the side usually sets it free.

Of course, if you don't own a decent pry bar, your method is about the only sure-fire way to avoid tearing the lower ball joint boots. Probably also a sure-fire way to avoid possibly needing an alignment, too. I've run into a few that were hard to separate and I had to beat on them for a while.

About the flywheels: If you reduce the flywheel's inertia, you will have to slip the clutch more, and you will wear the clutch out faster as a result, so the whole less-wear thing is out of the question.