Going to be replacing my LCA ball joints and steering links. I'm not a big fan of pickle forks.

Since your replacing them use a pickle fork.

Big-***-Hammer (TM). Whack the boss next to the joint and they pop loose.

Maybe I've been too harsh on the ole' pickle fork

Pickle forks have always done good by me, some ball joints were harder to separate than others but they usually always separated.

My issue is with ball joint press kits, if anyone has a recommendation on a good kit, let me know.

My favorite tool for any joint is the air hammer pickle forks. These will pop the most stubborn of joints in no time ​​​​​and are fairly cheap if you already have the air hammer. Amazon sells the kits for about $20 that come with three sizes of fork and the hammer/chuck adaptors. The IR quick release air hammer is a solid tool if you need one, runs less than $80.

The only real downside to the pickle fork is they destroy the boot. If you are separating the joint to do some other work, and want to reuse the ball joint, a pickle is likely not the best approach.

I loosen the castle nut until it's flush with the end of the threads and then smack it with a good hammer to break it loose. Then remove the nut and it just slides out. YOU MUST HIT IT SQUARE or you can damage the castle nut or worse, the threads. Of course this really only matters if your re-installing it. This method has worked well for me many times.

Be safe! Make sure you support the a-arm. I wrapped a chain around the arm and spring when I removed mine. Gave the spring a little nudge out of the a-arm pocket with a 6ft pry bar while hiding in front of the car. Popped out very gently for me. It was really uneventful. I replaced ALL wear items in the front suspension and painted it all with POR15. I installed Ground Control Weight Jacks so I have never tried to reinstall factory springs.

Doesn't the auto parts store sell $10 pullers so you can simply press out the ball joints?