If he is taking things a part enough to replace the front wheel bearings,
filling and bleeding brakes should not be that much of an issue. Of course
rusted fittings and frozen bleeder valves can make that a whole new
adventure onto itself. It may be due for a brake fluid change anyway.
However I think there may some other issues as that noise description does
not sound like a usual bearing failure noise. Unfortunately when a person
decides to be a mechanic without training the school of hard knocks and
busted knuckles will take over.

Just trying to help!

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
raceingcajun
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 2:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Undoing the big nut on the upper ball joint - who knows how?

Hi Dennis,

    I don't think I would recommend opening the brake system to a "novas"
technicition (said with all respect)! I think the bigger picture here is,
what is actually wrong with the Van. The noise as described does not sound
like a wheel bearing to me. You would think a wheel bearing would be more of
a roar increasing with speed to a certain point, not a "Click - Click" on
slowing down.
    "Dan", you don't say where you are located. I would be glad to take a
look see, if your close enough. Please state your general location, and I'm
sure myself or another list member would be glad to give you a little
helpful nudge in the right direction!

Howard

"In the land of fast cars, good looking Women, and the worlds best Gumbo,
not to mention a couple of Volkswagens held together with bailing wire,
"duck tape", and a few cuss words (in Cajun French of course)"