The front bearings can be damaged and fail quite often. Poor lubricant
choice and incorrect adjustment both spell short lives. Resist the
temptation to over tighten. There has to be room for the grease (oil) to get
between the rollers and races. Take the old ones out and look for signs of
metal spots or flakes. The rears rarely fail. They can often be checked
using the stethoscope method with them running off the ground. Be careful.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
JRodgers
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2012 11:47 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: WowWowWowWowWow sound when rolling on down

Dennis, thanks.

I take it that by problem bearing you mean any number of difficulties and it
warrants a bearing change. Can do. Not a difficult task on the fronts, just
a pita to have to doe it. The bearings on this machine were replaced a
relative short time ago - last year. BUT - the first one out of the box was
bad. After the change - first drive down the road and the bearing growled
like crazy. Brand new bearings and race. That was a first timer for me. Got
another bearing w/race and the problem was solved. These bearings were made
in England, if that means anything. I'm going to try and make sure I get
good German made ones next time around.

John

On 10/14/2012 9:10 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Any
> noise change with steering input indicates a problem bearing.