There are a number of reasons for the bearing caps to pop off.
Over time they will stretch and lose their fit. I've seen them so lose you
can turn them.
Some mechanics think more is better when it comes to grease. If you stuff
the bearing cavity and the cap at some point the rollers pushing out the
grease and thermal expansion will make the grease either push off the cap or
work past maybe even blowing out the seal. Then you get the grease all over
the brake pads.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Smith
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 1:47 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Wheel bearing dustcap fell off... trouble ahead?

I happened to notice, through the vanes in the passenger side front wheel
cover, a bit of greasy axel this morning. Huh, I though, that's weird. I
don't recall seeing that there. And the wheel cover seemed dirtier than
normal.

This evening, driving into the driveway, there was a terrible clanking
sound. Fearing the worst, I parked and pulled off the wheel cover. Sure
enough, the bearing dust cap was loose in the there, and bouncing around
inside between the wheel and the wheel cover. Well, at least I know for sure
where the sound came from. And it *might* just be a matter of replacing the
cap.

No problem, I tapped it back on with a small block of wood, but there seems
to be a fair bit of grease inside the wheel cover. Is this a 'no big deal,
you're fine now that the cap back on' kind of situation? Or is this a 'don't
drive that vehicle, you have wheel bearings dying in there' kind of
situation?

Any advice, tips, recommendations? My first thought was to jack up the van
and see if I have 'play' in the wheel and also listen to how it turns, see
if it is rough or rumbly.

.r