Thanks to all who helped me with my ball joints.  It always amazes me how
easy some of these jobs are when you know what you are doing have have the
right tools.  I rented a pitman puller from autozone (you only pay a
deposit) and the stuburn upper ball joint comes right out.  OK, it took
some turns on a wrench, but it was easy.

I did the other side in about 15 minutes (it came right out with the
pickle fork).  I can't believe that the shop wanted to charge 2 hours per
side to do just the upper ball joints.

I left the lower joints in and will think about them another time.  The
word from the local VW place in town is that it will take a pretty serious
press to get the lower joints in and out, but it seems some on the list do
this using the same tools I used for the upper joints.  Anyhow, that is
for another day.

Thanks to all who helped me out!
Blake