Had a chance to do some investigating today.  Both the shocks appear good - I jacked the car and pulled/pushed and twisted the shocks at the upper and lower bolts and couldn't see much play.
On the rear drivers side wheel I jacked it up and I managed to find some play.  If I grab the wheel on each side and pull the entire wheel using an in and out motion I can feel some significant in and out play with a clunk each time it reaches the limit of the play. I tried it on the passenger side and there was a tiny bit of play but nowhere near as much.  Back to drivers side I had a helper pull in and out while I looked for things.  There is no play between the rim and the studs so any play must be behind the backing plate.  I also couldn't see any movement on the axle shaft so it must be outside of there right?  The axle nut appears tight and has a safety pin in it so im not sure how that can come loose.  All that leaves is wheel bearings and CV - is that right?
Im not sure if this is related but when I jack the car up and down im also getting a creaking/groaning noise from the same area (somewhere in and around the wheel hub)
Thanks group.  Looks like I might be doing an axle/bearing dissasembly -hopefully I can put it off till winter.
BrettVancouver BC91 Vanagon, EJ22

From: rueffy@hotmail.com
To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: some sort of clunking
Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 04:21:27 +0000

Is there a procedure to check the suspension in the rear of the Vanagon?  I have a random clunk that is coming from the back of the van somewhere - i cant narrow it down.  sometimes accelerating, sometimes just cruising, mostly straight but occasionally turning.  I've tried taking it in a parking lot and done tight turns to see if its CV but cant get it to clunk.  i've jacked the rear wheels and tried grabbing the wheel at top/bottom and rocking and again side to side - no play.
Any other rear suspension testing ideas?  Its a pretty loud clunk on average about once or twice each time i drive around the city.
Brett91 Vanagon, EJ22 Vancouver, BC