Check your rear stub axle bearings by jacking each wheel off the ground
(block the front wheels on both sides!) and slowly spinning the wheel.
If a worn bearing is making this much noise you should be able to
feel/hear roughness when you turn the wheel.

If you do need to get that axle nut off, save yourself some aggravation
by renting an electric 3/4" drive impact wrench and socket.  Five
seconds off, five seconds on.  Best $35 you'll ever spend.

Jeff Warner wrote:
>
> The second problem I believe is a rear bearing but I wanted to get your
> thoughts.  It's a very loud roaring sound coming from the rear that starts up
> pretty quickly once you get rolling.  It's nothing to do with the exhaust as
> the system is new.  The transmission (automatic) seems fine.  It shifts well
> and putting it in neutral while crusing doesn't diminish the noise.  But I
> don't think this eliminates the diff as a possible culprit.  The noise is best
> described as roaring.  I don't really hear any kind of grinding or clunking and
> I don't hear anything at all below 2 or 3 MPH.  If it is a bearing, I've not
> been able to establish which side is bad.  I'd like to be more certain as to
> the problem before I go trying to get the %#^&*@ axle nut off.  I've not had
> this problem with my '87 GL so I was looking for some opinions or possible
> methods for diagnose, hints or whatever.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jeff Warner
> '86 Warner Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender (Or 4W, what a mouthfull, we're still
> working on a name.  However, the kids have fun trying to say it fast.)
> '87 Vanagon GL
> Assorted other VW stuff
>
> PS. Anyone know a cheap source for touch up spray cans?  I only need a little
> bit.  My paint code is LH1V Savannah Beige Metallic
> (Gold).

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)

Personal mechanic for:
'70 MGB GT (Daughter's)

Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Was daughter's, now son's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT