Remove only the large axle nut and the hub.  The Bentley manual shows using
a puller to remove the rear axle hub but I have never had a problem sliding
the hub off by hand, after the axle nut is off, of course.  The stub axle
shaft will then easily (in my experience) push out to the inside if the
half-shaft and CV joints are removed.

The circlip in the top diagram on Bentley page 42.4 holds the inner wheel
bearing in the Wheel Bearing Housing and doesn't need to be removed to
remove the axle.

The easiest way to remove or replace the 46 mm axle nut is with a large
socket (46 mm but 1-13/16" works well, $15 at NAPA) and 3/4" breaker bar
(much more expensive, borrow if you can) and a cheater pipe.  Remove the nut
with the wheel installed and on the ground to prevent turning.  Torque the
nut to 369 ft lb by standing gently on the pipe at the appropriate distance
from the socket.  Calculate this distance (in feet) by dividing 369 ft lb by
your weight in pounds.  This works much better than the purpose built
stamped steel VW axle nut wrench that you hit with a hammer.  Be sure to
reinstall the cotter pin.

Ed

On Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:34:14 -0800, Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>OK, I thought this would be pretty straightforward, but to get the
>rear axle out ('85 Vanagon), must I remove the entire wheel bearing
>housing, including the brake mounting plate, or can it be driven out
>from the outside with a big bronze hammer (Bentley shows a circlip in
>there somewhere)?
>
>To clarify, I am NOT talking about the CV joint/axle assembly (which
>is already out).
>
>Thanks for any tips!
>
>Gary