It doesn't really how you get it OUT so long as you do NOT damage the arm. I removed bushings with hammer, chisel, screwdriver, etc. Also, make sure that you clean up the area where the ball joint will mount in. I haven't done my ball joints yet, but did do poly bushings in the front. Use a file to clean that surface up. You don't want to press a new ball joint into a place that has a lot of old crap stuck in there. I'd think that it would degrade the life of the ball joint. Putting a new one in, definately get it pressed.