Often, if the bearing is loose in the case it can be seen. With the
flywheel and shims off, rock and push the crank back and for while
carefully looking at the bearing. If it moves at all it is loose and a
tear down with new, oversized bearings and a line bore is in order. If the
rear main is loose imagine what condition the center bearing saddle is in.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mike S
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 12:14 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: End play

So, I've taken my broken transaxle off (off to Daryl when I get done
packing it for shipping), and want to take the opportunity to do any
possible PM that allows. I'm going to replace the engine rear main seal
(seems there might be a small leak).

I checked the endplay, it comes out to .006", the wear limit. I
understand the reason it's ill-advised to adjust end play on a used
engine, because you may be measuring not just end play, but play
between the main bearing and case. I thought perhaps I could use some
plastigage between two of the shims to measure the "real" endplay and
make sure I don't end up clamping the crank to the bearing.

Comments? Oh, 2.0 aircooled (CV) engine.