Good info, Scott. I have seen several Vanagons with that mystery clunk. Now I know what to check for. 

Chris.

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Dnia May 13, 2011 o godz. 14:38 Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> napisał(a):

> Hi Brett,
> I find real wheel bearing play on vanagons all the time..
> it's common ...it just developes in the rear outer bearing as the miles
> build up.
> 
> however..
> this is how to check for that play..
> grab wheel top and bottom and try to tilt it ..
> like lift up on the bottom ..
> and observe how far the top moves in and out.  ( up to 1/8 inch is common
> ....but not really right ..
> but not 'desperately bad' either ....more than that is 'better do
> something.' )
> 
> the wheel/tire should not, and can not really , move directily inward and
> outwards.
> If that is really happening ..
> something is most odd. It's semi not possible.
> 
> at least remove the cotter pin and check that the big nut is super tight.
> if that wasn't installed tightly enough .....that can lead to bad things.
> At least undo the big nut,
> and remove brake drum and wheel flange..
> then grab the end of the stub axle ( where the bit nut was ) and try to
> wiggle up and down.
> That up-down play usually is from wear in the outer roller bearing, which
> has a ton of load on it. I'm amazed at how well they last actually.
> I have never actually seen one fail...
> they can sure get worn though .
> Once they get sifnificant wear, you just know it's time to do both rear
> wheel bearings and seals on that side.
> normally ...you expect the right side to wear a little more than the left
> side..
> but the last few vans I checked..
> it was the left ( driver's ) side that had the most play there.
> 
> groans make me think of bushings ..
> the only ones I have had that happen on are the front upper a-arm inner
> bushings.
> They really like to groan on bumps sometimes.
> let us know what you find with the big nut back there..
> if you get the drum and flange off, check that the backing plate is mounted
> firmly ...
> two 17mmhex head  bolts at the bottom, on 13mm hex head on the back side,
> upper.
> 
> also check that the four  22mm hex head large bolts that hold the bearing
> housing to the trailing arm are tight. They sure should be very, very tight.
> 
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "brett rueff" <rueffy@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, May 13, 2011 10:34 AM
> Subject: Re: some sort of clunking - rear end
> 
> 
> 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
> =