On Wed, 3 Jun 2015 08:07:22 -0700, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:

>
>The 360 ft lbs of torque is not bearing against the circlip. You could
assemble the stub axle, hub, and bearings outside the bearing housing.
The big nut presses the hub against the inner race of the outer bearing,
which presses against the spacer, which presses against the inner race
of the inner bearing.
>
>In other words, the stub axle is like a big bolt, with the nut on the
end pressing what ever is between the nut and the head of the bolt.
>

Thanks, Alistair.  That's what I said, but you put it much clearer.

>The outer bearing has some play in it even when new. I just checked a
brand new one and I can make the inner race rock slightly.
>

And that, and to hold the hub solidly on the axle, is why it needs 369
lbs-ft of torque, or 500 N-m, which is a nice round number that happens
to be big enough to hold things together but not too big so the nut
can't be taken off with the proper tool.

This video at 04:53 shows the proper tool to remove and tighten (if you
gently stand on the pipe at the proper place) the axle nut:

http://campervanculture.com/2011/07/jed-replaces-the-rear-wheel-bearing-
on-his-t25-vanagon-syncro/

Thanks again,

Ed

>Alistair
>
>
>> On Jun 3, 2015, at 3:09 AM, Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:
>>
>>        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