I just replaced the upper and lower ball joints and front wheel bearings
and seals in my 84 GL . To remove the lower ball joint from the steering
knuckle I had to buy a 12 ton hydraulic press from the local Harbor Freight
store (bless them for opening one nearby) for $100 (but one can never have
enough tools.) Still, it took all 12 tons AND an oxy/acetylene torch to get
them out. But, DAMN it's gratifying when they pop! I blew some more $$
money, too, because I bought the wrong bearing sets. Warning to others:
don't be like me. Read the catalog carefully. There are two different
bearings for early and late 84 Vanagons. Fortunately the Bus Depot was only
45min away. (Thanks, Terry, for the pity-price break.) But it's back on the
road and handling like a piece of precision German engineering once again.
I do my own work because I enjoy it (rationalization??) but I wonder how
much I saved even after buying the press and screwing up the bearing
purchase. Jeez, I bet a dealer would have charged probably $500 for this
work. And taken longer. AND I wouldn't have the press...or the experience.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience.

Tom Brobst