Look for the top shock nut – when it’s missing, the shock sits there looking normal with your face in the wheel well, but raises havoc when you drive.  Much cheaper solution.  You can hope.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Thomas Casal
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2018 10:12 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Knocking sound

Hello good people,

I’m up in Maine on a trip and out of no where I started getting this kind
of knocking sound coming from my passenger side wheel well.  I pulled the
tire off banged on the rotor and shook the axle a bit and the sound went
away for a day then it came back.  I have a small rip in the boot I’m about
to tackle there is still plenty of grease in there.  I have all new
bushings I’m not dragging anything nothing is loose.  I know my description
is terrible but anyone have any ideas of what it is?  Seems to be worse
when I’m in gear but not a 100 percent sure about that.  Peace tom