Stub axles require two bearings that sell for about $47.00 per side with the
seals.
The big nut must be removed to get the stub axle out.
Once the nut is removed and the CV drive axle is removed you can get into
the bearing box and remove the old bearing.
Truly a PITA without actually removing the bearing box from the swing arm
but it can be done.
I've done it both ways.
As an option you can drill a hole in the bearing box then install a grease
fitting and squirt some general purpose grease in there to buy you some time
and use for preventive maintenance after you've replaced the bearings.
If you have all the tools and parts handy it's about a two hour per side
job.
This is for a standard Vanagon, I don't know about syncro.

Stan Wilder

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of John Rodgers
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 9:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Stub Axle - Service and Bearing Replacement

When I replaced my CV's, I noticed on the right stub axle there was an
accumulation of grunge in one spot that appeared to be perhaps grease,
that had accumulated dirt on it and it had just completely hardened.
Because of where it was I didn't try to rmove it. It looked like maybe a
sealed had leaked and collected dirt on the grease.

I have had a strange noise now for some time, whn running down the road,
and I know it is in the running gear but I can't really pinpoint it. I
suspect a wheel bearing, as I have hear bearing growls before, but I
could at least tell they were up front. This noise - and it could be a
bearing - is there somewhere. I just hink maybe it's a stub axle bearing.

Can anyone tell me about the life and times of stub axles and bearings
and what it takes to change them.

I don't recall ever seeing a discussion about this on the list.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver