This was with an old air cooled but should still apply.

Years ago I had a problem with one of my axle nuts loosening up and I could
not figure out why. I even replaced the nut.

The 'light came on' when I swapped my hubs from left to right and the
problem also swapped from left to right.

It turns out that the splines were worn on the inside of the hub that was
loosening up.

Tom
www.towercooler.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
David Beierl
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 2:32 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Why my rear axle nuts got loose

At 02:39 AM 6/12/2010, M. Jade wrote:
>If the noise does go away does it mean the axle is OK?

This is beyond what I know.  My *guess* is that if it goes away and stays
away, you've gotten away with it.

>When I said loose it's not like you can turn it by hand. You have to
>turn it by a wrench (1/2" drive 2 feet long bar).

If you get the wrench horizontal, and stand on the very extreme end of it
with 180 lb / 82 kg that will give you the correct torque.  The wrench has
to be horizontal.

>  So I don't feel the splines on the axle are damaged.

If they're moving against each other they're certainly not doing each other
any good.

>The question in my mind is is it possible the axle is going to break
>off. I know it is probably not very likely. But does it ever happen to
>anyone to have a broken axle? Last time they were loose I turned the
>nuts probably 1/12 turn. Now they were turned again 1/12 turn.
>Something must be wearing out inside or the axle is pulled so hard and
>about to break off. Again this is probably not likely. But I am
>concerned really.

I cannot answer this.  Maybe someone on the list can, but not I, sorry.

Yours,
David