As has been said, normally to do this job would require a press to press in
the lower ball joints.  You could buy the parts and then take the front
uprights to a local machine shop to get them to press in the lower ball
joints.  Something like that would typically run you an additional $30 in
labor.

Right now we are selling front uprights for the 86-91 2wd Vanagon that have
brand new ball joints already installed for $119 per side.  We would want
your old uprights as cores.  The ball joints supplied with these uprights
would be VW, not aftermarket.  Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Tim New
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 12:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Ball Joints

I need to replace my ball joints, but I have never performed such a repair.
I'm not much of a mechanic and any advice you could lend would be helpful.

I have some stupid questions.

What parts will I need?
What tools will I need?
Should I change anything else while I'm under the car?
Would you recommend a novice mechanic change his own ball joints? Could I
damage the car.

Tim New
86 GL