Re
"Looking around down there I realized that there
> isn't much that could make any sounds except the front wheel bearings. "

there's lots more, like 4 ball joints, two anti-sway bar bushings at the
frame,
etc....several other important suspension parts...say shock bushings.

there are about 20 things that can knock in the front suspension.

and yes, if wheel bearings are left unserviced 'forever'......... when they
finally start to complain loudly ..
they are basically worn out.  And of course, about  $ 4 is high quality
wheel bearing grease and an hour or two  could have kept them working
indefenitly almost ..

"metal requires lubrication where there is movement.' ....like every last
part on it that moves..
vanagons are still 'old type' things with metal, rather than plastic
everywhere...
It's always a shame to see a wasted latch or whaever, when one instanteous
shot of spray synthetic lube will make the mechanism happy for about another
2 years or so. The cost-benefit ratio is extremely in favor of lubing
things.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

just think how many bone dry CV joints there are on vanagons right now ...so
easy to deal with too, an inexepensive, and rewarding task.
same is true for everything that moves on the van....seat belt latches,
parking brake handle pivot point and cable, and ratchet mechanism ..and
heater control cables ...hundreds of little spots that are SO happy if you
just lube them, sometimes with as hot of spray lube. that takes  1/5 second
to apply.

so wastful to just use and abuse stuff ....be like never washing your body
or cleaning your teeth ..
not that there are any people like that on this list of course !
I'm just sad to see these fine vans not gettting even basic care, based the
ones I see .  If it was 'hard' to lube something, I could understand. But
it's not.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2010 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: Noise coming from front wheel

> Once wheel bearing become noisy, they need to be replaced. It's a sign
> of worn bearings or races or both, and lube won't solve the problem -
> which is worn, rough  places in the bearings and races.
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
> On 6/13/2010 9:56 AM, Paul wrote:
>> Lately I've been hearing a knocking sound coming from the passenger side
>> wheel. This only happens when I go up really, really steep inclines like
>> driveways and private roads. Looking around down there I realized that
>> there
>> isn't much that could make any sounds except the front wheel bearings. I
>> jacked up the front and the wheel isn't loose so I took off the grease
>> cap
>> and worked some grease into the bearing and it stopped it somewhat. Would
>> this be an indication that I need to replace them?
>> TIA,
>> Paul
>>
>>
>>