Hello - I am wanting to break the lower ball joint on the n/s front suspension in order to replace the wheel bearing. I have bought a lower suspension steering knuckle complete with new bearing but wondering what the best way is to break the taper without using a wedge style breaker which will probably damage the boot. Access is very limited for other types of splitter?
Any suggestions please?

You need something like one of these two which have used for splitting ball joints for years.

 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

I have replaced my front shocks today on mine so I had to remove the same joint, all I did was use a long pry bar as there is a slot in the lower arm for it to go into then just lever it down.I have a splitter the same as the bottom one in the picture but it is too big to get in the space available.

thank you for your comments -I have a scissor type splitter as you show in you photograph but it is too large in the fork to go in without damaging the grease boot. I have tried banging the casting near the ball joint to no avail.. might try grinding the fork of the splitter down but it will probably bend/break! the alternative is to go to nearest garage and have them do it for perhaps £100 pound labour but it would be nice to do it myself. have tried putting large jemmy bar in the slot suggested but this still didn't work!

You won't tell if the taper is broken unless you pry the lower arm down, because the lower arm still has the ball joint under pressure.

For what it's worth I once had a difficult taper on a track rod end and I eventually cut a couple of pieces of aluminium to act as a heat shield and protect the rubber seal then very briefly played a butane torch on the joint whilst under pressure from the splitter. It did the trick. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE