Bearings rumble, make grinding noises, get overheated, but rarely clunk.
Rear end clunks are usually a CV joint problem, (loose, in need of
lubricant, worn, defective, etc.) or a loose or bad wheel hub. Once a
hub goes loose enough to clunk, it will need to be replaced. Some side
play in these bearings is normal. If the wheel is rocking, check the
hub. Make sure the clunking is not suspension related such as a shock
bushing.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Kurt Camealy
Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 11:00 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Clunking in rear even after replaced wheel bearings???

I recently developed a clunking in the rear of my 87 GL.  I lifted it up
and had a good amount of play in the rear wheels; so with 205K on the
original bearings and grease I removed and replaced.  Replacing all four
rear bearings seemed to go very smooth and I torqued them to over 300
foot pounds.  I took it for a test drive this evening and I STILL HAD
THE CLUNKING?  I lifted up the rear end and I have no side to side play,
but I have top to bottom play.  My heart has sunk as I lost an entire
Saturday and over 100 dollars in parts to this job.  Could I have done
something drastically wrong and still have gotten it back together with
no problems?

Thanks in advance,

Kurt