I bought a press for $65 from a used tool shop.  It is made in china and not
very sturdy, but completely adequate for pressing bearings and bushings.  It
has saved me several dollars, but more important lots of time.  Driving to a
machine shop and waiting for your work to be done and driving home is a drag
when you could DIY in about 5 minutes.
Press is also good for squeezing oil filters to recover all your used oil
and making beer cans really flat.
Anybody that feels comfortable using a press and does their own auto repair
should definitely invest in one, space/wife allowing, of course.

-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, November 27, 1999 1:53 PM
Subject: Get yourself a hydraulic press!

>No serious do it yourself Vanagon owner with more than 130,000 miles on
>the clock should be without one of these!  CV joints, upper control arm
>busings, and ball joint replacements are a breeze with this tool.  You
>can find them for $130-$150 (Taiwan made,  more than adequate for the do
>it yourselfer), and they are worth it.  Shipping will add a bit as you
>get farther east, but look for those little tool stores in your area.
>
>I have had one for about 5 years now and have paid for it twice over
>between my MGBs and Vanagon.
>
>Stuart