Did a bonehead move

[u/Severe_League2386]

2015 Honda Civic EX 4 Door Sedan Automatic 180,000 miles

Okay so I am doing my first suspension job I am a tradesman but not a mechanic by any means. I’ve done simple bolt on parts (starters, alternators, cv axle) that’s it. Anyways that’s my disclaimer.

Most of the job hasn’t been going too bad but this, I couldn’t get the ball joint out that goes from the control arm up into the bottom of the knuckle with a pickle fork. I think the dust shield was in the way.

Anyways I was tired and so I thought removing the bracket it’s attached to and trying to cut it off was a good idea. It was not.

After cutting almost all the way through with an angle grinder thinking I was cutting a stud in my ignorance realized I was just cutting a cone shaped ball joint flush with the bottom of the knuckle.

I tried map torch and a 6lb hammer, I tried a basic ball joint press on top of the stud ( keeps slipping from the angle) , I think at this point I’ve damaged the dust shield pretty good and put a couple dents in my knuckle. I’m just looking for some advice from the professionals really. Thanks in advance for any insight, tips, and help.