This sounds like it may have started as a DPO problem... but if you've been
running with the big nut loose, your bearings will be shot. Replace 'em.
Waaaay cheaper than throwing a wheel.

At 12:34 PM 12/27/2006 -0800, Nathaniel Poole 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