Sometimes, you can separate the ball joint without using a "pickle fork" by doing the following:
after loosening the castle nut, bring it up until the top of the nut is flush with the top of the threaded stud on the ball joint. Put a floor jack under the control arm about a quarter inch from touching, then hit the castle nut with a sledge hammer. Normally, the sharp force of the hammer combined with the spring will pop the ball joint out, and the jack will keep the control arm from falling too far and causing all kinds of mayhem. Then remove the castle nut and slowly lower the jack until the ball joint stud clears the spindle.