this thread shows a ball joint tool in action.
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?/topic/11407-rear-suspension/page__p__79915__hl__%2Bball+%2Bjoint__fromsearch__ 1#entry79915
1. after you remove the big nut, the hub is held by the bearing. look through the procedure and you can see where it is pressed out, destroying the bearing in the process.
2. there are a couple of ball joints in the rear suspension. you only have to separate the one he shows in the pictures.
3. I hit the end of the axle with a brass hammer.