Sorry to bore everyone out on this thread. But to those who
responded to help I owe them a final chapter. I finally had
everything back on the Passat with a new FAG wheel bearing.
The noise that has been there for almost a year has disappeared.
It was the passenger side wheel bearing that was the culprit.

Total cost of this repair is about $400 including tools that
cost almost half of that. I don't think I saved much from doing
it myself. But I end up with $200 worth of tools in my collection
though. I also end up with a pair of OEM axles that are still
in good working order with a pair of new boots on them.

Front wheel bearing for a front wheel drive car like Passat is
far more work to replace than that of a Vanagon.

Thanks for those responded to help. This is not a Vanagon subject.
I do hope this experience is not a bad one to share with everyone.

David