to remove the ball joint i would just pop the tie rod out, pop out the lower ball joint and pull enough to slip out the axle and swing the knuckle out of the way. Granted i haven't worked on a 6th gen so i might be completely out of league on this but thats what i've done with most vehichles.

I'd probably unbolt the bottom or loosen the bottom shock bolts to allow the knuckle to swing out of the way easier.