Here's a time saver for the ball joints...

I don't remove the spindle assembly from the car. I just remove the axle nut and outer bearing, the strut fork bolt, separate the lower ball joint, pull the hub off the outer joint of the axle, and swivel the hub assembly to the side. You can get to the LBJ without having to remove it.

Here's another trick that will keep you from needing a bearing press, or from having to beat on it as much...

1. remove the snap ring that holds it in with a pair of snap-ring pliers (pictured below).

2. knock the old ball joint out with a BFH (pictured below)...

3. press the new joint in with 2 pairs of brake clamps (pictured below). Keep it greasy so it'll go down easy... it's held in with the snap ring so any kind of lube will do...

Then you just shove the axle back in it, bolt the lower control arm and strut fork back up, slap your bearings and axle nuts back in, throw the wheel back on. Half hour tops, but it sounds to me like you're replacing your LCA which will take a bit longer. If you can't knock the bushings out to replace them, melt them a bit with a torch and BFH them out.

Oh no... here comes that screamin' sownd again!