Ball Joint Removal?

[hunds02]

I know this thread as been beaten to death already, but didn't want to start a new one...

I have spent the better half of two days trying to remove the ball joint. First I kept the thrust arm attached and hammered with a 4 lb BFH for awhile. No bueno. I then rented the ball joint press from Autozone, which consists of a huge C clamp and a few plates and different size pipe stock. Before using this, I purchased the 3/4" Ball Joint Remover from Harbor Freight to separate the thrust arm from the ball joint so I can use the tool from Autozone. I didn't realize until later that ball joint press kit will not work as you would be essentially compressing the ears of the ball joint into the knuckle.



Next I decided to wack at it from the top with a punch and hammer. I already had the CV joint removed for some room. As you can see below, I did some damage, but not enough.



I've scoured the forum before posting, and the only other two options I can think of is renting a slide hammer that I do not know how to use for this case or (more preferably) purchase a super duty air hammer with a 3/4" tapered punch.

If anyone has any ideas please chime in. I'd like to get the car off the jack stands by next weekend (been 1 week already).