I had early signs of failure on my outer fronts. Likely this was due
to mal adjustment by me. Still I was curious about your comments.

Googling PN's from the vanagonauts BTDT website:
http://www.vanagonauts.com/-Wheel-Bearings154.htm

This PN: "Front Outer Bearing Part # 211 405 645 D Fits 83-84 Thru
Chassis # 24E015000"  I got:

http://www.autocarspare.com/catalog/wheel-bearing-rep.-kit/211405645ds.html  and

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-211-405-645-DGR

Seems some early MY Vanagons used the bearing design from WAY back.

For: "Front Outer Bearing Part # 251 405 645 B Fits Mid 84- 92 From
Ch.# 24E015001" found:

http://www.autocarspare.com/catalog/wheel-bearing-rep.-kit/251405645b.html

IIRC, the older Vanagons, have a different spindle OD on the steering
knuckle so those of us with the early type bearings can't simply
install the newer (better) outer bearings.      :(

Neil.

On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 11:21 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> you might find it interesting that ...
> the outer front wheel bearings are weak on early vanagons ..or better said,
> they made them better after ..I think maybe, �84.
> I am certain that 82 diesel vanagons have the 'were-improved-later' weaker
> front outer wheel brgs.
> And recently I swapped some from an 84 to an 85 ..
> pretty sure they are better in 85 and later.

> in 85 and later 2WD vanagons ..
> the front wheel brgs last so well it's just amazing..
> The only time they are usually even touched is when installing a new front
> brake discs.
> I never find a loose, dry, or rough one, but those 84's �( pretty sure ) and
> earlier ones..
> the outer fronts brgs a a bit weak.
> that's VW for you ..
> they underbuild and then upgrade as they go along.
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David White" <sirgrumpsalot@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 9:55 PM
> Subject: what happened to my thrust washer?
>
>
>> 1984 gl. driving home 200 miles last night. Front wheel bearings
>> started chirping. Then the grumbling started as if I was on gravel.
>> Slowed to 30 mph for the last 40 miles. Took the front wheels apart
>> today and I can't find the thrust washer on the driver's side. The oil
>> seal is trash too. Lucky. The roads were iced over so 30 mph allowed
>> me to drive past a few spin outs. �Spindle looks ok so I can't figure
>> out if the washer key failed or if I need to replace the spindle as
>> the groove may have led to the failure?? I had a wheel bearing go in a
>> bay years ago and it was sudden and catastrophic. �When was the last
>> time you checked your wheel bearings? This is why the insurance
>> companies hesitate to insure us. Rural Idaho would have put me upside
>> down in a wheat field without hurting anyone else at midnight. Glad I
>> wasn't where I would ruin someone's day.
>

-- 
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

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