In a message dated 19/06/2005 12:03:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I need a  46mm socket to pull the rear hub to replace
the brake shoes. Do I need to  pull the hub to get the
drum off? Is there a "english" equivalent to the  46mm?
according to my measurements 46mm is very close to 1
5/8". Can  someone confirm this? I can't find one
(46mm) locally and I need to get it  done this weekend.

Danno, you do not need to remove the axle hub  nut to service the rear
brakes.  The brake drum is not held on by this nut  rather by the wheel lug nuts and
two 11 mm bolts.  If it does not come  loose readily it's due to rusting and
interference fit between the drum and the  hub.  A smart smack with a good
weighty hammer on the edge of the brake  drum usually gets them loose.  If you do
remove that axle nut it must be  retorqued to 360 ft' lbs.  Removing it and
retorquing it once a year is  adviseable.  If you do not have the tools to
remove and retorquing visit a  nearby tractor/truck service center. Also, this may
be a good time to pump some  grease in the rear wheel bearings.  To do this
you DO need to remove that  big nut.  Then remove the hub and pump grease into
the bearings using the  hub to push the grease in.  Several aaplications and
installations of the  hub may be neccesary to pack the grease in there.  Good
luck with your  weekend project.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com