Well done Paul, thanks for sharing!!

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
www.pottsfamily.ca

On 4-Jan-07, at 3:24 AM, Paul Guzyk wrote:

> 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