I agree the uppers are a piece of cake.  Take the bottom arm off and to a
machine shop where they press them in and out.   No biggie.

Adam P
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "wb6otg" <wb6otg@INTREX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: Ball Joints

> What tools are unique to this job? I only recall using standard hand
tools, a large hammer, and a press.  The press has many other uses, or a
shop could do the press work for your.
>
> Bill
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> Your options are:
> A lot of frustration or take it to a professional shop. (Tools to do the
> job will cost at least $200.00 and you'll only use them once in your
> life. Then the alignment has to be sent out.)
> I bought my parts from Bus Depot and had a local shop install them and
> align the front end.
> About 200$ in parts and $275.00 in labor.
> I'd replace the upper and lower ball joints, the tie rod ends, the
> steering rack boots (lube the rack as much as possible). Unless the strut
> rod bushings are split just leave them.
>