When you lost the tire was the cause the lug nuts coming off or the axle nut
coming off? I ask as the latter is the only way I can figure the axle
threads getting damaged. Also if it was the later then who was the last
person to have serviced the axle assembly? Luckily no one got injured.

The castle nut is still readily available at the dealer. In theory it is not
a re-usable part. You may not see it but if that assembly came loose the
splines-bore of the wheel flange is also shot and that may be why the set up
failed in the first place. Replace it anyway. Backing plates are pricey but
again they get bent, twisted worn, etc. There is nothing like brand new rear
brake plates to get the rear brakes to operate properly.   I have been
having trouble getting them from VW so you may need to go to our vendors.

Be sure when putting this back together you get it torqued properly so you
don't have to re-live the event.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jeff Lincoln
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 3:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Question and parts request.

Hey gang - it's been a while since I posted - life's been too darn busy.

Anyhow - I lost my driver's side rear tire going down the road Friday! Less
scary than I thought something like that would be but trumatic none the
less.

It appears that the only damage I have is the threads on the axle, the
castle nut, and the backing plate. I found a new axle on the samba - and I
can get the castle nut from our vendors. I can also get the backing plate -
however they're a bit pricey - I am wondering if anyone out there has a
decent used backing plate they'd like to sell me (one for each side would be
great)? I figure if they are in good enough shape I could rehab them a bit
with a good wire wheel treatment and some POR.

My other question is just a general experience type question. After
inspecting every thing the damage seems a lot more minimal than I expected -
but what can't I see? What other things should I be looking at that may have
had some damage but isn't apprent visually?

As always thanks ahead of time.

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'85 GL (Gertie)
'90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus