yes,
get under there and start checking things.
you might start by removing the right axle, and see what you learn in that
process.

also .
get the right rear wheel ( or both rears ) off the ground and check real
wheel bearing play.

the most important thing ..
no test driving or emails will change anything on the van.
'hands on' .......
and 'van off the ground in the rear' is where things that make a difference
start to happen.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Gilbert" <kggilbert@MYACTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: Rear End Rumble

> I've finally been able to produce the sound. Last night I drove a
> series of hard left/right/left/right turns, kind of like when trying
> to avoid your neighbor's cat. On each hard pull to the left, I heard a
> "thwunk" from right rear. No sound when pushed hard to the right.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> - kevin
> On Aug 30, 2011, at 11:02 PM, Robert Stevens wrote:
>
>> On Aug 30, 2011, at 8:25 PM, Kevin Gilbert wrote:
>>
>>> Occasionally, and unpredictably, I hear and feel a thwang and snap
>>> sound from right rear, usually when making a turn.
>>>
>> The first thing that comes to mind is a broken spring. Fairly easy
>> to examine by
>> loosening the RR top shock nut so the shock can let the wheel go to
>> full droop.
>> Jack the van up, remove the wheel, be sure the emergency brake is
>> off or the
>> wheel won't go to full droop, and twist and pull and examine that
>> spring.
>> bob ... you may be able to get a good enough look at the spring with
>> just the wheel
>> off.