Hi Phil,
    The lower joints are difficult to replace without a shop press.
Sometimes with a press they still need to be heated a bit before they pop
loose. I have replaced them without a press but it is difficult and requires
a lot of pounding and felt maybe it was not good for the new joints to take
all the required pounding using the hammer method so bought a press several
years ago after struggling with joints on a 78 bus for a couple of days. Be
sure you have them properly oriented  before you press the new ones back in.
(^_^) Smile....
    If you are in the Southern Illinois area drop by with new joints and the
knuckles in hand and watch a 30 ton press do its thing.

Darrell Boehler
Makanda Illinois

----- Original Message -----
From: Phil Marston <pmarston@INSTECH.CO.UK>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 6:03 AM
Subject: Front Ball Joints

> Hi All
>
> Any advice on replacing the bottom ball joints ?
> Haynes indicates that they are pressed out & pressed back in
> but there does not seem to be a lot of support for the hub
> while this is going on.
> Guess I'll ought to replace the top ones at the same time.
>
> Rgds Phil
> 81 Wedgie called 'OOK'
>