I had a terrible time tracking down a clunking that turned out to be worn
brake shoes. Replacing the shoes made the problem go away. This was after
two different shops looked through the brake components to try to find it.
Upon examination it didn't look like anything was wrong, but it just made
sense since nothing else was loose that the only moving parts in the
assembly�the shoes�must have been making the clunk, and they were.

As Dennis says, the loose nut is fatal so check for that first, then the
backing plate. If not those nor the CV, it's probably the shoes.

Jim

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 5:09 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> Common clunking causes are lose shocks, worn-missing lower spring cushion,
> and loose wheel hubs, (that big axle nut). The loose nut will cause the hub
> splines and bore to wear ruining it.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> brett rueff
> Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 12:21 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: some sort of clunking
>
> 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
>