Good point.I took mine up to the local VW dealership and they poped out the
old lower ball joint and pressed in the new one,all for $50.
GerryR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Shea" <shea@GTSDESIGN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 1999 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: Get yourself a hydraulic press!

> The thing about dealing with the lower ball joint in the ball-joint
adapter
> is that the surface you press against is at a 45 degree angle to the
> force of the press.  I have a simple hacked-together press and carried
> the ball-joint + adapter over to the press and looked at it for a while
> and then put it back in the car until I can park the car and take the
> joint + adapter somewhere to get it done ;)
>
> I could probably have cut a piece of pipe on a 45 degree angle but
> it wasn't feasible at the time, I think it was about to rain or snow
> or something!
>
>         Gary
>
> On Sat, 27 Nov 1999, Stuart wrote:
> > 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
> >
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Gary Shea                                       shea@xmission.com
> Salt Lake City                      http://www.xmission.com/~shea
>