Hello all: I'm new to the list. Just bought an '87
Vanagon for the express purpose of learning the trade.
Here's what I learned lying on my back in the driveway
in Michigan in January:
Buy the 12-point tool for <$10 when you buy the new
joints. The FLAPS and dealers don't have it. Snap-on
thinks it's worth $20.

Safety: I left the heavy floor jack in place as  a
backup to the jack stands, in addition to Rhino Ramps
and wheel chocks. Try to rock the van before crawling
underneath it.

Recalcitrant bolts need a drill and easy-out. When
this fails, 1/4" NPT gas pipe gently driven over the
bolt heads may give  a good grip. Turn it with your
pliers/pipe wrench/whatever. A chisel applied to the
outer circumference of the head may also work.

Change the joints gently-take them to a shop with a
press. The locals tend to replace the shafts with new
cv/shaft assemblies-same price/less labor..

Stripped bolts in the outer joints nearly sabotaged
this project. Persistence pays.
George

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