Gary,

Haven't had to do that job, my joints are okay, except for my knees!
I'm waiting for them to perfect knew "ball joints" for knee replacement!

Bentley shows a "squeezing" device, but a tie rod puller like Eastwood
sells might also work.  There usually is a way to do these things
without the VW tools.  Independent shops probably can't get VW tools
easily, or don't want to pay for them.  Snap-On will probably have
something equivalent but also expensive.  You have to pay for their
lifetime guarantee.

Part of the fun of having a press and making it useful is collecting
pieces of pipe in various diameters, old generator cases, most anything
cylindrical and strong.  It looks like the Bentley shows a large piece
of pipe cut in half the long way to support the steering knuckle while
pressing in the joint.  Figuring out how to support all these odd pieces
while pressing is part of the fun!

Stuart

Gary Shea wrote:
>
> Stuart, have you used your press to push the lower ball joint out
> of the 'ball joint adapter' on the '80-83 or so vanagons?  It seems
> pretty tricky...
>
>         Gary
>
> On Sat, 27 Nov 1999, Stuart wrote:
> > 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
> >
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Gary Shea                                       shea@xmission.com
> Salt Lake City                      http://www.xmission.com/~shea