On 9/9/09, Troy <colorworks@gci.net> wrote:
> Hi folks:
>
> I have been hearing a scraping, clunking sound, from the rear end (passenger
> side) on my 89 westy vanagon.

.......

> I had recently done
> my brakes (about three months ago at least) and thought something inside the
> drum may be scraping, but all of the springs are brand-new, shoes, and drum
> itself. The shoes are firmly attached to the backing plate, everything looks
> fine to me. Now, the mechanic is thinking it may be wheel bearings. So, for
> anyone who's had wheel bearings go out, what kind of a sound do they make?

....

> So, anyone care to take a stab at what the sound may be? It does occur on
> acceleration and deceleration and increases in frequency with tire rotation.
> It seems to get worse braking, but I may be imagining that. It would take a
> lot more testing to confirm.
>
> Troy

Have you taken the drums off since hearing the noise?

Not like ya wanna after all the work you did, but really doesn't take
much time as you know.

Take it out of gear, and apply only the hand brake at slow speeds when
safe. See if sound increases. Might be a loose spring or ? rubbing.

I have read that rear wheel bearing make more of a rumbling sound.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines