More Novice Help Please, Suspension, CV Joint and Front Suspension Disassembly Options

[Highland]

More amateur help please, this time with CV joint and front suspension:

1) I've only taken apart one axle, but I found some pitting on one of the outside bearing. Pictured is the worse example:



Can I address this by swapping the transmission end for the wheel end? I notice they ride in slightly different locations.

2) Having much trouble taking apart the front suspension.

a) Can I just use a fork to pry this off or do I need a puller/pusher device? I have neither so trying to avoid buying both. Soaking in PB Blaster now. Boot is already torn so a fork would do no damage, just looking for the easiest way.



b) According to the Haines Manual the bolt/pin shown is suppose to come out to release the ball joint (held in by a semi-circle feature?). Mine looks like it is permanently attached to the strut. How do I get it out?



3) When removing the control arms do the adjusters need to be wound loose? Can the cross support bar be left in place?

[porschetub]

I hate the fork tool as they tend to destroy the rubber boot...ok if you are replacing the ball joints.
Proper ball joint removal tools are the way to go as mentioned,I have a Sykes one made in the UK ,wind it up tight and strike each side of the arm together with 2 hammers for the tight ones ,forget penetrating lube as it won't do squat on tapers.
Yes last resort is to use some heat on the steering arm with a butane torch .
If you are reusing the ball joints refit the nut so you don't mushroom the thread with a ball joint tool when removing.
When refitting new or good used ones hit them in to the taper with a brass or hard nylon face hammer so they don't turn when refitting the nuts.
CV joints ...any galling or chipped hardening on the races and balls involves moving to the nearest rubbish tin with the effected parts,don't for a minute think they will be ok,years worked on front drive VW Golfs taught me this ,no different in this situation.