> One minor point that you made, that I find to be an absolute
> impossibility.
>
> A wheel bearing failure due to over lubricating it? ( excessive grease )

Exerpted from the VW bus Bentley manual:

"9 - Lubricate bearings and pack brake drumhub with lithium grease of the
correct specification.  Press the grease well into the cages and between
the rollers.  The hub cap should be free of grease.

"Important
Only use good quality grease.  Do not mix different brands and types of
grease.  The amount of grease required per wheel is 80g.  Too much grease
can also be harmful"

I not a professional mechanic, so my knowledge is limted on what I read and
my experience working on my own vans, much like most of you.  But I have
read a couple of warnings about overpacking on the Bus lists (in addition to
those in the Bentley manual). I seem to recall reading an explanation that
excessive grease could actually cause overheating, much like insufficient
grease, but this is going strictly from the memory of a thread I read a good
year ago, so don't quote me on it.  I presume one of the more experienced
mechanics on the list could provide a better explanation.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  (215) 234-VWVW
  www.busdepot.com