Napa stores (US) will have the brass drift you need. 

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 14, 2021, at 8:18 PM, Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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
>>> 
>>