Thanks to all who responded with how to get that ball joint off on the rear hatch struts.

I bought two from derekdrew@rcn.com for $30 including shipping and he has several more sets available if anyone needs them. 

S. California winter weather is back to its normal 65 F degrees so when I get my struts I'll be installing them and pray we get some rain soon. I guess you all know that S. California is a drought condition state and that we need as much rain as we can get. Send us some please. (Just kidding about 65 F being normal. It's ideal. Normal winter here in San Diego is 40's & 50's on the coast, colder inland.)

William Polowniak
1989 Vanagon GL
1988 Mercedes 300 SE