centering ball stuck on front driveshaft

Im trying to rebuild my front driveshaft centuring ball. when i took the piece off that the 4 bolts bolt into on the cardian end the centering ball still in the drivehshaft piece. every thread ive seen on here, the ball has come out when the took the piece off that has the 4 bolts in it. i was going to just hit it with a hammer then i remembered theres a piece running through the center of the ball that the spring goes in correct? any tips on how to get the ball out??

nevermind i shouldve tried some more before posting that threads sorry folks. I let it sit in pb blaster for a little and then got a chisel behind the ball and hit it until the ball lossed then used the chisel as a pry bar behind the ball and pulled it out