Over the holidays while visiting family in Vancouver I had the
pleasure of replacing lower ball joints (actually, most of the front
end pieces) on an 84 Westy.   The van drives 100% better and the
front end feels amazing now.  No steering slop at all.

We all know upper ball joints are easy to change, but the lower ones
on my project van were shot also.  I decided to see if I could do it
without the help of a machine shop or fabricating any tools.

I was able to accomplish the task with two expensive yet "free"
loaner tools from Canadian Tire.  I'm pretty sure these loaner tools
are also available from Autozone in the US.

I don't know if this procedure (and tools) will work on 85 up
Vanagons (or Syncros) but I'd imagine they will.  Perhaps another 2.1
person can report their findings?

1980-84 Vanagon Lower Ball Joint replacement photo procedure:
http://californiavan.com/frontend/80-84lowerballjoints/

FYI: Free Loaner tools (deposit required) available at many Canadian
Tire, Autozone etc. stores
http://tinyurl.com/sc9zy