Maybe the smack of a sledge hammer does a better job of loosening up the corrosion between the ball joint and its seat than the steady pressure of a press.

The press probably bent, bent, bent and then WHANG! it popped loose.

Ball joints are best tested by jacking up the wheel, right? Not the frame? So you keep the spring normally compressed?

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles