Thanks Dennis.
                          Everything came out pretty easily, however
while taking things apart I noticed that my upper ball joint boot was
shredded and there was rusty crud inside, so I'll need a new one of
those as well.  My only issue now is how to get the old trailing arm
bushings out.  I ground off the spot welds but they ain't budgin, so
I guess I may have to take them to the dealer to be pressed out and
the new ones pressed in.  Also according to the archives the ball
joint should just come out by tapping on it with a hammer, but mine
aint budgin.  I also tried "persuading" it with a sledge hammer but
it seems to be in there pretty good and I don't want to damage
anything.  Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.
Dave

That only goes for the bottom bushings as they don't turn. The top
bushings work like a bearing and can turn indefinitely. After you
re-install the arm, before attaching the top ball joint, try to move arm
up and down. It should move smoothly and with little effort, almost
falling under its own weight. If it is stiff enough to need force or
notchy at the start, remove them and send them back. So far, I have had
the best luck with the Meyle brand.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of David Prendergast
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 6:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Upper trailing arm bushings

Ok so I can't take the squeaking any longer.  I have the replacement
bushings and I know this was covered recently on the list but here's
my question.  Someone said that you should install the new bushings
and then put everything back together while the van is off the ground
and then tighten everything to spec while the van is on the ground
under weight?

Dave

David Prendergast
dprendergast@triad.rr.com