Off topic - 1970 VW ball joints

[Bluedot]

Duck recently acquired a '70 Beetle, and were putting dropped spindles in it. In the process, changing out the ball joints, and holy crap, ball joint removal on a Bug is a nightmare. Local shop wants $20 each (x4) to do them, but hey, how hard could it be for a couple of hotrodders, right? Wrong! It's way harder than we expected. We even borrowed a standard ball joint removal tool from O-R. Struggled for over an hour on just the first one. Fittings just don't fit up right to make it happen.
We were told that there's a special tool for VW ball joints. So...anyone on here know either (a) what that tool is (already searched online, no find so far), or (b) any special tricks on removing the joints?
BTW, we're trying to do this on the car if we can.
We've done American cars before, and trust me, this is different. Any advice welcome.

[Wrenchbender]

Sounds like $80 would be well spent I've worked on a few of those cars and hated every second of it lol I'd talk to the guys at the bug haus they know their stuff

[Bluedot]

Sounds like $80 would be well spent

What we're hoping is that we can find the "special tool" for a reasonable price. Then we can do the work, and we'll still have the tool.

In our defense, as Duck noted yesterday, we've prolly tackled the most difficult job on these things. We've been all over this car, and most of it is amazing simplicity.

Oh, and yes, Bug Haus definitely is the place to go. Eric there is a wealth of knowledge, has been a huge help. Plus we've already spent alotta $$$ there. Our budget has completely blown out the window, big time.