tie rod ball joint removal

Does anyone know a way to pop the stud out of the spindel without using a pickel fork. Is it possible to losen the nut down to the end of the thread and hit it with a hammer? Or can you hit the spindle knuckle hard enough to allow the tapper to come free?

If you use the hammer, you'll damage the threads even when striking the loosened nut. The "pickel fork" is the way to go.

loosen the nut and put the nut back on a few threads and hit the spindle with a hammer... There is also a flat spot on the spindle where I strike it!

I have had luck both hitting the flat on the arm and hitting the nut after I turned it over