In a message dated 10/18/2001 11:14:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

> Oops Re: Type 2 Rear Axle nut coming loose?
> 
       One of the reasons this nut comes loose is that the spacer between the 
inner and outer bearings wears.  Once it becomes too short from wear then you 
can tighten the axle nut all you want but you will not be able to get rid of 
the slack since the nut bottoms out on the splines and cannot tighten up on 
the hub.  You must either replace this spacer, BIG JOB !  OR.... install a 
spacer behind the nut which will go over the splines and allow the nut to 
tighten up on the hub.  I have done this with no ill consequences.  The 
reason the spacer gets worn is that for some reason the nut came loose and 
you kept on driving.  How the nut comes loose in the first place, I do not 
know.  Could be improper installation somewhere in its life.  They are 
supposed to be torqued to 300 foot pounds then locked in place with a cotter 
pin.  If someone took off this nut to do a brake job, which BTW is completely 
unnecessary, then installed it without the proper torque then it would 
definitely come loose because the spacer will wear !  
       REMEMBER, the spacer is there to keep a predetermined load on the 
wheel bearings.  Installing the spacer as I have suggested will load the 
bearing more and MAY induce premature wear of the bearings.  You must make 
this judgement yourself.  Depends on the amount of wear on the spacer.  In my 
case it was minimal and the bearings were not unduly stressed.

Peace�

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm">BusFusion</A> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: <A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCCC</A> & Capital City VW Club 
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A> �
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli & Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com

 

[text/html]