It's also worth putting the rear up and turning each wheel by hand.

I have no experience with a bad/going bad rear wheel bearing
sound/symptoms but checking for that may be something to consider.

Neil.

On Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 8:38 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
> Thanks,
>
>   Correction:
>    It IS vehicle speed related as well as RPM-related, I guess.
>   There is a specific 'range' (probably about 1500-3500rpm)  where the noise
>  is more pronounced as I accelerate away...It's just difficult to say
>  exactly, but it sort of sounds like the suspension goes 'all-steel' for a
>  few seconds as the Van rocks back onto the right rear accelerating away from
>  a stop..That description may be a bit 'Harsh'...it's not really that loud
>  (yet?) but more of a faint.."RRrr, Rrr,, rrr..rr..r..." as I pull out onto
>  busy highways...I have not noticed it going uphill on twisty roads or
>  crawling along backcountry trails.
>
>   A quiet large paved lot is a good idea, I'll  try that..
>
>   Don Hanson
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "neil N" <musomuso@gmail.com>
>  To: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@gorge.net>
>  Cc: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
>  Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:28 AM
>  Subject: Re: CV joint 'indicators'?
>
>
>  > Try driving in circles CCW and CW in a parking lot. Get a helper to
>  > listen out the PS window to compare notes. (which side is it coming
>  > from?)
>  >
>  > CV sounds should be related to vehicle speed, not RPM's. If it's
>  > related to RPM's, then it is likely something else.
>  >
>  > Neil.
>  >
>  > On Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 8:12 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
>  > > Hi all,
>  > >  Maybe I'm hearing things...
>  > >
>  > >   But, it seems when I accelerate away from a stop while turning left,
>  my 84
>  > >  5sp manual makes a little extra noise from the rear area.  It's an
>  > >  RPM-related noise that increases in "tempo" as the RPMs increase.  It
>  seems
>  > >  to diminish, then go away as I get moving, and it only seems to occur
>  when
>  > >  I'm accelerating more vigorously than I usually do..  I may be
>  imagining
>  > >  that this sound seems to be slowly getting louder..There has always,
>  since
>  > >  I've had the van, been a little noise..I've thought it normal for
>  > >  vanagons...but now, since nothing has broken with my van for a few
>  months..I
>  > >  am thinking it's "time"   I have not ever serviced the CV joints, but I
>  have
>  > >  checked the wheel bearings and re-freshed the transmission oil plus
>  checked
>  > >  brake shoes, etc..
>  > >   Can anyone suggest a simple way to check on the condition of my CV
>  joints,
>  > >  like maybe jack up and run in gear, or tug on the wheel or whatever?
>  > >   Or should I just drive the sucker till it breaks and not worry so
>  much?
>  > >
>  > >   Don Hanson
>  > >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > --
>  > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>  >
>  > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>  > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/