I had trouble with my front wheel bearings.
The problem was that the bearing was made in Germany and the outer race was
made in China.
The two metals just didn't Gee-Haw together and the bearing wore a flat spot
in the race that was defective.
The noise will start out as a growling noise, best heard by driving very
close to a tall brick wall with the offending wheel near the wall.
With a little speed added it often finds that flat spot in the race and
thumps.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Maggie Dew" <wildebus@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:17 PM
Subject: thump, thump

A new acquaintance recently acquired an '85 Westy w/ around 123,000 miles on
it. He asks this question (yes, I have given him the list address):
 "Our Westy has developed a nasty thumping sound in the last 24 hours. It's
coming from the right front. Any ideas?"
Any clues?
 Maggie
'85 Subaru-Westy "Anne Bonney"