Glad to find this thread...will now be content to leave the rear bearings
alone.

Doing the front brakes, I am finding that there is axial movement between
the inside and outside races of both [right side] bearings  -- is that a
sign that they should get replaced?  (haven't opened left side yet.)

Disappointed to find that I need a copper drift to remove some kind of a
conical liner which is pressed into the brake disc -- any suggestions or
tips on the process of remove and reinstall would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Gabby
1986 Westy 2wheel drive 2.1Lwbx

On Sun, May 14, 2017 at 9:49 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> The front and rear wheel bearings are of drastically different designs,
> even for the Syncro. The front wheel bearings on the Syncro is a common one
> piece cartridge design common to front drive vehicles. However it is still
> a dual ball bearing assembly as compared to many other using dual roller
> assemblies. It is a short assembly so all side-steering forces place large
> dynamic loads on the bearings. These bearings also get subjected to a lot
> of brake heat. The usual cause of these bearing failing though is the
> limited amount of grease eventually dries up or disappears and then the
> bearing fails. From experience typical life of these assemblies is usually
> somewhere around 60-80K.  New cars seem to have gotten these to get past
> 100K.
>
> For the rear bearing, you have two separate bearings and they are spread a
> part. The inner is a ball bearing which sees some of the weight but really
> has the job of controlling thrust. The outer bearing is a straight roller
> design and it carries most of the weight. There is also a reserve of grease
> between the two. With some cheating they ca be lubricated in place. Typical
> life for these is 150+K, easy.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Eric Wunrow
> Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2017 9:43 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: wheel bearings
>
> Hi, Dan:
>
> It's my understanding as well that rears outlast fronts by a ton.
>
> Presumably as there's no steering stresses.
>
>    Eric
>    Eric Wunrow Pictures
>    303. 988. 8717
>
>    VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails)
>    EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages)
>
>
>
> On Apr 12, 2017, at 10:54 AM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> > hi all,
> >
> > is it correct to assume or is there a reason to think that the Front
> > wheel bearings and Rear wheel bearings wear at the same rate? meaning
> > that do we have to replace front and rear at the same time?
> >
> > the mechanic replaced the front bearings ('89 tintop Syncro) not long
> > ago and he said that the rear wheel bearings are fine so he left them
> alone...
> > should I have the rear replaced too (cost to replace the rear is
> > higher than the front)
> >
> > thanks a lot
> >
> > dan
> >
>