Avants

Any clues on getting this ball joint out. It doesn't look like a pickle fork with fit in there. I have been pounding on it with a 5lb sledge to no avail. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. The rear curved control arm was no problem it took less than 30 minutes to do that one.

R2.7TA6

heat, propane torch will probably work

Avants

once I gave it a really clean blow it came off. PITA but now I have new lower control arms. Just as a DIY reminder to anybody doing control arms. Always have both sides of the car raised when working on suspension it is sooooo much easier.

A6vanilla

Here is what you do.
Email me for the answer and I'll help you out. I did the whole set myself.

or else. Remove the shock tower bolts (three up top) behind the battery wall are two. In front of that firewall is one. Then unhook the lower control arms at the hub carrier(big black vertical iron thingy). Remove the cv joint from the carrier, using a 17mm screw and (using the spare with the tire on the ground for grip). Remove the entire mechanism, and then proceed to hammer it out. This will work in all cases. Using a torch may help, but you need leverage and room to work. And for god sake, when you replace these items in their slots (control arms) get some antisieze for reassembly. (don't forget to pop the tie rod.
THis is the only right way to do this job. Any other "shortcut" may result in bad fender damage, popping the inner wheel cover, etc.