The nut compresses all the parts together.  If any of the parts are worn width wise the nut will reach the end of travel on its threads and butt up agains the end of the axel splines, and the hub will still be loose and the nut will be loose also.  The most common cause is the spacer has worn.  It must measure 42.8mm.  I have this information on my <www.frankcondelli.com/sales.htm> webpage where that spacer is listed.  If it is not EXACTLY that width then it must be replaced.  I'm running out of them, two left in stock I "Think"  more coming in my spring order from Germany.

On 2012-11-14, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> my main thoughts are that it wasn't tightened really properly initially.
> the torque value on that nut is way up there..
> 360 ft lbs, plus turn to the next cotter pin slot.
> 
> that nut squeases the two bearing races and the spacer against the
> flange on the inner end of the stub axle.
> It's hard to imagine that stub axle cracking ..or the inner races or the
> spacer crumbling ...
> I probably would take that whole thing apart and examine everything very
> carefully. Like with a microscope.

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013