doesn't sound like wheel bearings really ..
the 82 does have an underbuilt outer bearings though..

fixed a year or two later..
I'll sure say 2WD vanagon have good front wheel bearings..
often they go many tens, even hundreds,  of thousands of miles with no
service at all...
just the original grease and bearing adjustment. I seldom find bad front whl
brgs in 85's and later.

I was once fitting some mercedes wheels to a 2WD vanagon..in the front ..
the wheel rim was about 1/8th inch from the upright ..
enough clearance for sure..
yet in turns .
things flexed enough that it would rub there, only in turns.

your 195 R14 tires should clear everything just fine.

things like brake pads, calipers, and wheel bearings all come to mind.
wishwishwish makes me think of a warped disc rubbing on pads..
that only shows up in turns ..something like that.

Anti-sway bar ..something off there ?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Will Taygan" <lists@ALASKABIODIESEL.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 2:05 PM
Subject: bearing/other noise when turning a tiny bit?

> Just got another stock '82 diesel Westy up and running.
>
> I hear a whishwhishwhish noise coming from the front wheels when I turn
> just a tiny bit left or right, consistent with something rubbing - any
> chance this could be a bad bearing, or do I look for something else?
> Sound continues through harder turns. Totally quiet when aimed straight
> ahead.
>
> I *do* have fresh Hakkapelliita CS tires on the front, but they seem to
> be wearing fine...
>
> Will in Alaska.