That's your bearing cap.  The other side has the speedo cable going through
a square hole with a circlip holding it.

It should be a tight tap-in fit down to the shoulder formed on it.  If it's
so loose it falls out after driving it in, lay it on pavement and rap it
with a hammer on the side or squeeze in a vice to make it slightly oval.

No need to add grease, that's done when the bearings are packed at each
brake job, and very little should be in the cap.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Eric Caron
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2014 3:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Front wheel rattle

Hi folks,

        Off and on I've noticed a metal rattle sound coming from my
passenger side front wheel.  today I pulled off the hub cap and found the
small cover that lives in the center over the large nut was off and only
held loosely in place by my old style metal bus hub cap.

        I pushed it back on but it pulls off again easily.  What is supposed
to hold this small cap in place?  on the driver's side the cap has a small
pin like thing coming out of the center.  Not sure if this is holding it on
or if the drivers side is different for some reason.

so, how can I secure this small cap?  What is it called exactly? and though
there was some grease in there I wonder if that should be changed or
boosted.

advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Eric Caron
85 GL Auto