A ball joint press will make the job very easy and not hurt a thing.
I do not recommend using a hammer or sledge when removing a part that seems to be stuck.
Press it out and you will not damage anything.
Plus it makes installation a snap as well.

dylan

----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 12:29:59 PM
Subject: Re: Upper ball joint - WTF? GOT IT!

Hi Roger, Zoran also suggested using a big ol' hammer to whang on the
cast metal that the ball joint's shaft is pressed through. I gotta say
that it's amazing to me that this does anything at all other than make a
banging sound. Yet, it seems to be common practice at auto shops, too.
So thanks!

Fortunately, since my neighbor had pickle forks and I was replacing the
old ball joints, the rubber boots were expendable. I bet he also would
of had a 2-lb sledge if I needed to save the boots. I gotta buy him a
nice bottle of wine. He's a wine drinker.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR

Roger Sisler typed:
> Here is how I remove the tapered shaft of the ball joint. The taper causes
> the shaft to grip even after the nut is removed.A balljoint fork may tear
> the rubber boot.That is ok if you dont need to reuse the ball joint.
>
> Loosen the big nut a few turns. Then, using a 2 pound hand sledge hammer,
> hit the cast iorn wher the shaft goes throught the cast iorn. Vibrations
> wil cause the shaft to release itw grip.Then finish removing  the nut.
>