Date:         Wed, 11 Jul 2001 16:59:30 GMT
Reply-To:     jwarner@NETWALK.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Warner <jwarner@NETWALK.COM>
Subject:      Re: Not Downshifting + bearing replacement info

You Volks are the Greatest!  Once again I've asked a question and gotten more
than enough info to begin resolving my problem.  I'll try to remember to post
my results.

By the way, if you've been reluctant to do your rear bearings yourself, don't
be.  All in all it was a pretty easy job which could have been done without any
special tools.  I did have a bearing press set which was very handy but I'm
sure I could have gotten by without it.  A couple notes to add:

- You can easily pull the hub assembly off the axle shaft with a large puller.
There's no need to remove the axles from the van.
- Once the bearings are off their respective positions on the axle the inner
bearing will slide past the outers position by hand with little effort.
- For disassembly the Bentley says to remove the outer race and bearing set in
order to remove the spacer to get at the inner bearing.  The race comes right
out but you'll have to destroy the bearing set to remove it.  Also very easy to
do.
- Don't skimp on the grease seals, replace them.
- Make sure the outside of the hub assembly is also very clean before starting
to reassemble.  If it isn't you'll find yourself picking up small pieces of
grit with your greasy hands that you don't want to get into the your newly
installed bearings.
- When sliding the hub assembly back onto the stub axle, be certain to also
push on the outer bearings inner race.  Otherwise you'll find it popping out of
the bearing and you'll have to pull the hub pack off and reseat the race.
- Once you've slid the inner bearing past the point on the axle where the outer
bearing rides, you can then push the assembly far enough on so that you can use
the wheel hub and axle nut to press the bearing hub on the rest of the way home.
- I should probably note for those that aren't familiar with this stuff that in
order to do this job you have to disasseble the brakes.  Consider it a good
opportunity to freshen them up and make sure they're properly adjusted.

Hope the helps somebody.

Jeff


> Jeff Warner wrote:
>
> > Hello listmates!
> >
> > I've finished the rear bearings and gone through all the brakes and can
report
> > that all is right with the world at least as far as bearings and brakes are
> > concerned.  Now on to the next issue:
> >
> > The vehicle in question here is my very clean '86 Westy Wolfsburg Weekender
> > with 97000 miles named Barry.  Barry is an automatic and he doesn't seem
> > inclined to want to kick down into 2nd or possibly even 1st (I haven't
driven
> > him enough yet to know having just finsihed the bearings, brakes, etc.).  I
> > suspect that there is a vacumm hose or kick-down switch issue here but
before
> > breaking out the Bentley and sliding underneath I thought it prudent to ask
the
> > list for advice first.
> >
> > So, anyone seen this before on their automatic Vanagon?  Anybody want to
give
> > me a clue, hint or detailed step-by-step instructions?  ;-)
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > PS. For the record and in response to recent posts, I paid $2200 and drove
> > Barry home.
> >
> > Jeff Warner
> > Galloway, Ohio
> > '86 Westy "Barry"
> > '87 GL "Van"
> > Bunch of other
> > stuff.
>
> The valve body in the bottom of the transmission decides whether to shift up
or
> down based on two sources of info if I recall correctly.
>   The throttle linkage from the gas pedal connects to the trans and then goes
on to
> the throttle body.
>   The other relevant factor is the flow of fluid thru the governor which is
speed
> sensitive.
>
> Possibilities:
>   Linkage mis-adjusted.
>   Governor worn, sticking, or plugged with lint or sludge.
>   Valve in valve body sticking.
>
> The last one seems most likely to me, but it is also the most challenging to
fix.
>   The experts out there should please feel free to correct or amplify on this.
>
> Larry A.
> Chicago
>
>
>