Top is bolt-in, press-work required on the bottom only.
  No grinding or welding is required. You must be remembering the a-arm
bushings.........

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: Ball joints

> Chris,
>
> Ball joints themselves aren't that expensive, but the labor for the R&R
> surely is.
>
> The upper can be replaced fairly easy, Just some bolts with take care of
> it. But the lower is a bit of a bugger. As I recall there is a tack-weld
> on it that will have to be ground off - that's no big deal - but you
> will need a press to finish the removal job so the new one can be
> installed - which also presses in.
>
> It can all be done at home if you don't mind running down a shop that
> will do the pressing for you. The rest just takes a few wenches.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Chris Snyder wrote:
>> I took my 1987 Vanagon for the Missouri State Inspection and it failed
>> because they said the ball joints had to much play in them.
>>
>> Can someone please tell me how much it should cost to get these replaced
>> as I
>> am not able to do this job my self. Also, what is involved and what is
>> the
>> time to do this job?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Chris S.   </HTML>
>>
>>
>>