Doing ball joints for the first time on my 4x4 02 dakota. Quite the task when everything is rusty.

I put moog joints in. I got my drivers side done and completely put together. I realize that I didn't press the bottom joint all the way, it's about 3/16" from being fully pressed in. I think????? I got the c clip all the way on. This is bothering me. Is there a safe way to pop the joints apart without destroying the rubber boot so I can crank on the lower ball joint more?