Multiply Nm by 0.7376 to get ft-lbs. In this case 500Nm = 369ft-lb.

I don't know anything about the Bentley being wrong.

Maybe your brake shoes on the right side are grabbing? Bearings, CVs not lubed or worn?

--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 6/1/15, Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

 Subject: Rear axle torque specs?
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
 Date: Monday, June 1, 2015, 7:04 AM

 Forgot to add that that the rear
 passenger side wheel bearings and seal have been just
 replaced by a new shop I'm trying to use. Wheel axle nut
 torqued to 360 ft lbs. I then drove the Westy back to my
 farm 60 miles away. Remove hub caps and felt axle nuts on
 both side of the Westy. The passenger side was exceptionally
 hot. I couldn't hold on to it. The drive side was only
 warm.
 Hence my be question of torque specs.

 Does anyone know what the correct torque specs for the rear
 axle nut on my 1988 GL Westy.
 My Bentley says 360 ft.lbs. but I understand that that is
 wrong . I understand that The conversion factor from the 500
 Nm was calculated wrong in the Bentley.,shouldn't it be 253
 ft lbs?
 I got this info from the westfalai.org site.

 Dennis Jowell
 Scotch Hollow Farm
 Newbury, Vermont