EXACTLY !   All I can tell you is that from “experience” if that spacer is shorter than the spec I mention, the wheel and hub will rock back and forth.  I “consider” over 1/4” rock excessive and therefore recommend replacing the bearings and spacer.  HOWEVER, “sometimes” if the wear has been excessive for a long time the hub end will have worn and it too will need to be replaced to make up the correct length.  NONE of this is indicated in the Bentley, it is from my own observations.  AND to add more to the confusion, I have NEVER been able to understand why the 360 ft. lbs. of torques is needed on that axle nut.  It’s just compressing the hub, bearing inner races and spacer up against the circlip on the axle.

> On Jun 2, 2015, at 1:29 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
> I'm assuming (not always safe to do here) he or others measured new OEM =
> Spacers and recorded the measurements.

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale <http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm>)
Frank Condelli & Associates <http://www.frankcondelli.com/> - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
BusFusion <http://www.busfusion.com/> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 04 ~07, 2015