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Ball joints serve a very important function on a VW EuroVan. The joints on the EuroVan let the suspension move and flex. Without these ball joints, the suspension would literally fall apart. Ball joint problems are relatively easy to diagnose. You'll know when the ball joints Magic Locksmith Tools or are going bad when you will hear a rattling during normal driving. You can also jack up your vehicle, grab the top and bottom of your wheel and shake it back and forth (in and out). If it moves, your ball joints are done for, and you'll need to replace them. Once the ball joints fail, you have to replace them or risk damaging the entire suspension.

1
Break the front wheel lug nuts loose by turning them 45 degrees counterclockwise with a tire wrench.

2
Slide the jack underneath the front jack point and jack the EuroVan off the ground. The front jack point is located near the radiator and is an extension of the frame.

3
Finish removing the Locksmith Tools and pull the wheels off.

4
Pull the cotter pin out of the axle nut in the center of the wheel hub with a pair of pliers and remove the axle nut with a socket wrench. You can alternatively use an air compressor and an impact wrench to remove the axle nut. On the EuroVan, this nut tends to stick and can be a bit tricky to remove.

5
Push the axle into the wheel hub by hitting it with a rubber mallet. Be careful not to damage the axle or the hub in the process. With the axle nut removed, the axle should slide in enough for you to slide the hub assembly forward.

6

Locate the lower ball joint. While you won't be able to see the joint directly, the general shape will look like a ball and MaxiScan FR704. There is a protective boot over the joint itself, and the boot is filled with grease to help keep the joint lubricated. The joint is located on the lower control arm at the bottom of the suspension.

7
Remove the upper and lower mounting bolts on the brake caliper and pull the caliper off the brake rotor. Secure the caliper assembly to the coil springs above the brake assembly with zip-ties and pull the brake rotor off the hub.

8
Pull the cotter pin and mounting nut from the lower ball joint. The cotter pin is pulled out using a pair of pliers and the nut can be removed with a socket wrench.

9
Wedge the teeth of the ball joint removal tool between the ball joint and the steering knuckle. Hit the handle of the ball joint removal tool with a hammer to separate the joint from the knuckle.

10
Place the head of the ball joint MMaxiScan US703 over the top of the ball joint. Tighten the clamp until the ball joint is pressed out of the control arm. The press looks like a large c-clamp (which is essentially what it is). You will not be able to press the joint out with anything other than this specific tool, however. Once the joint has been removed, you will need to clean the steering knuckle and the control arm where the old joint was seated with brake parts cleaner.