Not sure on the D44 but I've removed them from a D30 (probably very similar). I didn't drill the rubber. Some Parts Blaster. Pneumatic air chisel mosty, ball joint press can help if you can get it to fit and have the right sized spacers. It's a bit of work no matter how you do it, no real way that I know of to finesse them out. Mine were mangled once I got em out.

 

Hammer and a drift works OR yes drill the rubber... you might need a right angle drill

 

I used a ball joint press, if it's still stubborn, use a punch or air chisel to bend the lip down. Kroil and some heat can also help.

 

D30 and D44 are the same. The best method seems to be to collapse the outer shell with a hammer and punch until it can be knocked out.

 

Use two air hammers at once to do this. Pops out pretty quick, and it’s a great excuse to buy more tools.

 

Push & pull bushing removal/installation sleeve kit. Modification of a receiver cup was needed to fit casting contours.

 

What was your most "successful method"?

After doing some with an air chisel and Sawzall, I've found the most successful and easiest method is what I did with my XJ.....I paid the mechanic down the street $50 to replace them. It kept the neighbors from hearing all the four letter words I know.

 

For $50 it seems a bargain. When I replaced my control arms, I looked at those bushings and decided they were good enough to carry on. If I need to replace them down the road, this may be what I do.