I get rear axle nuts in the aftermarket just fine..
no need to use the dealer.

can't tell where it's made ...looks all right though.

yeah , scary if that nut came undone while driving .
If that's the case, it probably was a little loose for a long, long time..
doing damage.
It may need a stub axle and a flange.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: Question and parts request.

> 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