Jack up the van on that side in the rear so that the rear wheel is off
of the ground.
Now try grab the wheel at 12 oclock and 6 oclock position with both
hands and try to rock it back and forth.  If it rocks and makes a small
clicking or clunking noise then the wheel bearings are bad and need to
be replaced.  If not then I would suspect the CV joints.  Take a look up
inside that rear axle "box" where the inner CV joint lives and check to
see if the boot is ripped, or broken.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
http://www.eurovan.org
http://www.vwcabrio.org
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Prendergast David
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 12:35 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Knocking noise

Noticed a knocking noise coming from my driver side rear wheel area. Its
relative to the spinning of the wheel itself and it seems to be coming
from the outer portion of the drive train, i.e. closer to the wheel than
the tranny.  It's much louder when I come off the gas and is more
apparent at slow speeds.  C/V joint....Bearings?

Dave

David Prendergast
Greensboro, NC