If you think it might be the speedo cable, its quite easy to disconnect this and pull it out of the hub so a short drive with it disconnected should eliminate this possibility or confirm it.

Steve

On Apr 28, 2013, at 8:01 AM, Dan Andrews wrote:

> Hi Dennis, Howard, Dan, Mike, List Members,
> 
> Thanks for the all of the suggestions - I spent the day entertaining my
> little girl today - so no work got done on the van .  Happily it's a matter
> of a new wheel nuts and pulling it of the stands to get it rolling - I
> consider it in 'hot standby' mode...
> 
> I'm going to do a quick summary of the suggestions which have been raised
> (to make sure I've considered them all, and add notes in relation to each
> 
> Disconnecting the brake hose/break pipe:  This is not really something I
> want to do, unless unavoidable.  However I don't believe that they would
> make this a necessary part of the wheel bearing replacement process.  I have
> no concerns about performing the task - it's one of the few jobs which
> translates well from two decades of servicing motorbikes - I just don't want
> to do it as one of the first things I did when I got the van was to flush
> the brakes (and yes, the nipples were in a bad way).
> 
> Howard's very kind offer of coming to visit:  Thanks Howard - however I'm in
> Sydney, Australia.  Probably a little further then you had in mind :)
> 
> It doesn't sound like a wheel bearing - they usually make a rumbling noise:
> I consider this to be really valuable information (thank you).
> 
> Brake pad shudder:  Perhaps - I don't think so.  The pads and rotor are all
> within spec and seem to be in good condition.  There are no noticeable
> defects in the rotor or the pads.  Certainly pressing lightly on the brake
> pedal doesn't stop the clicking - in fact it gets louder as brake pressure
> is increased and load moves forward.  However I'll have a closer look at
> this, look for anything which could be catching on the rotor and check for
> distortion.
> 
> Could be something stuck in the tire: I haven't noticed anything, however
> certainly a good lead - I'll give the tire a twice over in good light.
> 
> Could be a dry/stuck/etc speedo cable:  As the speedo cable rotates at the
> same speed as the hubcap, I hadn't considered this.  Certainly the speedo
> cable would seem to be in good order.  However I'll give this a look over,
> ensure its sufficiently lubed, and check clearance with some engineer's
> blue.
> 
> A large box wrench to remove the nut:  (I believe that's what we call a ring
> spanner) - I had considered this - however as I need to torque it when I'm
> doing it back up, I really need something which attaches to a 1/2" drive.
> 
> Could be the CV joints:  Perhaps - they were actually the first thing I
> replaced when I got the van last year.  I used the cheap Chinese ones rather
> the the Febi's - they were less the a quarter of the price (and I had to
> really see whether there was a difference for myself - let's face it - they
> don't work very hard compared to other CV joints).  In one terrible moment
> late at night, I accidently dropped a ball out of one of the new ones onto
> my workshop floor - this ended up with me having to completely dismantle
> clean, oil, and re-assemble the new joint (which was no easy task - compared
> to the old one it was really tight) before packing it.  Obviously I had
> concerns about the longevity of this joint (although I never recorded which
> one it was).  However my  doubts that I would be able to hear it from the
> driver's seat remain - certainly I can barely hear the engine.  Perhaps
> someone can offer an opinion about this?
> 
> As for undoing the big nut to remove the brake hose bracket - it would seem
> an unavoidable task  when changing the wheel bearing (unless the bracket is
> removed the calliper can't be swung back and tied off with wire.
> 
> Thanks again for your help.  Any other suggestions will be well received.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> -Dan
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dennis Haynes
> Sent: Sunday, 28 April 2013 8:35 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Undoing the big nut on the upper ball joint - who knows how?
> 
> 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)"