The dealer tightened her up (for free) and no more bad noises, although I
suspect I'm living on borrowed time. You know, if Busdepot or other vendors
sold PO voodoo dolls complete with pins, I bet they would be a hot selling
item. Maybe I should talk my wife into making some. I sew better than her
but I'm too busy. Anyone else be interested? Make a nice dash ornament.

You mentioned parts and TOOLs. What special tools are required, beyond a
honkin' great torque wrench that is too expensive and I will just take the
van to the dealer and get them to tighten the axle nuts.

Nathaniel

On 12/28/06 8:07 AM, "Jerry" <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:

> Nathaniel,
> You better take a look at those rear bearings ASAP!
> In fact, given the trouble involved with disassembly and reassembly
> of rear w/bearings, you should buy new bearings and seals
> and install them.  Bearings and seals, nut and washer are
> comparatively inexpensive compared to the damage the bad bearings
> will do if not fixed.  Also, be sure to replace the bearing races.
> All parts and tools can be purchased fron Gowesty, Busdepot, etc.
>
> Jerry
> KY 88 GL
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Nathaniel Poole
> Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 2:35 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Bearings or moronic PO
>
> 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