Stubborn Ball Joints

[95TacoTruck]

  Ok well I had to change my LH halfshaft cause the boots were torn and  it was old, so all was well until I got to the part where I had to seperate the ball joints and tie rod ball joint. The upper was the easiest with a two jaw puller, pickle fork and sledge hammer.  The tie rod took alot more coaxing but finally released.  As for my lower ball joint it never came off I ended up unbolting it from the steering knuckle.  Is this a common occurance possibly due to them never being changed?  If so is there a trick to doing it easier.  I had to virtually destroy the upper and lower which I am now replacing at a cool 150 bucks though I did go through the dealer. I was so pissed I almost put my Taco up here free  to good home but then I woke up It can't always be this hard can it?

[95TacoTruck]

Hmm i guess nobody has changed their balljoints or had trouble with them lol.