I tried to repack all 4 on my 83.5 Westy last year. After repacking
they became noisier somehow. At least I did not feel any improvement
in terms of noise. But then I began to suspect if the noise was in
fact from the wheel bearings. Greased all 4 bearings but I still heard
noise and felt no improvement.

Eventually I walked into a FLAPS less than 2 miles from me and picked
up 4 new GKN CV joints. I crawled under the van nearly all day to
replace all 4 of them. I believe I packed them really well. Guess
what? I wasn't too happy still because the noise was still there.

I have not done anything since then but I have already planned to replace
all 4 bearings. Guess what then? I found I do not like the sound coming
out of my front axles either. Some of the noise I heard might have been
from the front axles. So I again plan to replace all 4 bearings on
the front axles. Jacking up the wheel and turning it by hand did not help
anything. The hands could not spin it fast enough to make the noise to
come out loud.

I cleaned up the old CV joints and inspected them carefully. They all had
pitted spots in many places. They were not good. They did not make clicking
noise when turning. They were just not quiet and it was really annoying.
I might have been confused by the wheel bearing noise. I have to wait until
all 8 wheel bearings are replaced to know if my new GKN CV joints are
really quiet. I guess wheel bearings are not that expensive. By replacing all
I won't have to chase the noise again.

David

--- Brendan Slevin <totorovan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Well, whilst doing the clutch on Totoro, I am also repacking all 4 cv's and
> treating them to new boots.  Dose anyone have any tips?  This will not be my
> first cv repacking, but a first on a Vanagon.  Thanks!
>
> Brendan Slevin
> 84 GL Totoro
> Bend, Oregon
>