Lets try to bring the Vanagon related information to conclusion. I'm interpreting the various responses:

Since it's more of a chore to get to the rear wheel bearings it is common to leave them alone until the start making noise. (Front wheel bearings are by contrast easy to repack/replace whenever one does a front brake job and take off the disks for resurfacing)

Maybe there is a good possibility that my wheel bearings (likely 28 years old; I don't think PO replaced them) will last the life of the vehicle, so why unnecessarily replace them? If they start making noise I'll most likely be able to drive home and replace the bearings then. I found a description on:
http://www.vanagonauts.com/[42.5]Rear-Wheel-Bearings163.htm

Do maybe most other Vanagons still drive around with their original bearings and grease?

Cheers,
Martin (and '82 Westy 1.9TD "Poppie")

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