In a message dated 27/08/2006 3:01:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Has  anyone ever "drilled and installed" zerk greese fitting into the =
rear  wheel bearing hub on a vanagon?
I need to know if this is a suitable  "idea"?

If no, why?  If yes, how often would one greese these  fittings after =
they're installed (mileage -  time)...?

Larry, I have done this on my own van and a few  customers.  This can be done
easily without removal of any parts.   Choose the location carefully so that
the zerk fitting will be located in the  centre between the two bearings where
the bearing spacer is and at a location  that also has easy access with a
grease gun.  The only other important  consideration is when using the grease gun
you need to have the rear brake drum  removed to watch the bearing seal.
When it starts to be pushed out you  must stop inserting grease.  Then push back
the seal and clean up any  residual grease.  Just pumping grease in the there
any time you will run  the risk of greasing your rear brakes.  Since the rear
brakes should  be inspected for wear once a year and the rear axle nut torque
checked once a  year this is the time to also pump grease in the rear wheel
bearings.  In  actuality you should not be needing to pump much grease in there
since there are  two seals that are supposed to keep the grease in there.
There should be  no substantial loss unless the seals are bad.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007