There should be no play whatsoever. You can try tightening it, but it sure
sounds as though the bearing is done.

On 12/27/06, Nathaniel Poole <npoole@telus.net> wrote:
>
> An actual Vanagon problem post from me. Lately I've been hearing some
> nasty
> noise from the rear driver's wheel. Jacked it up and wheel feels smooth
> and
> all, but there's a little slop when I wiggle the tire. I then noticed that
> the PO had taken a chisel and hammer to undo the axle castle nut, which
> tells me he didn't have the right tools. Also reused the old cotter pin,
> which was broken. Where the slop is coming from is between the nut and the
> hub.
> SO there are two possibilities. The PO put the nut on hand tight 'cause he
> didn't have the big socket and it's worn itself loose, or the bearings are
> going and everything is starting to slop around.
> I assumed the worst about the PO and was going out to buy a big socket
> when
> I realised that just tightening the sucker might not be the solution. I
> know
> it's supposed to be like 360 ft-lbs.
> What are the symptoms of a bearing going other than a bad noise? Will the
> wear actually create slack between the nut and hub?
>
> CV joints look and sound fine.
>
> Nathaniel
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com