Date:         Tue, 7 Oct 2003 08:54:25 -0700
Reply-To:     "MacLachlan, Bill" <Bill.MacLachlan@CITY.BURNABY.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "MacLachlan, Bill" <Bill.MacLachlan@CITY.BURNABY.BC.CA>
Subject:      Front end noises
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Listees: 
Thanks for replies to my post last week on front end stuff, I still need
a bit of collective front end experiencce/wisdom
 
 I've been  trying to track down the scraping /rumbling noise that has
been coming from the ( I think)  front end.  The noise came on about
500km after the front left steering knuckle was changed,  outer bearings
on both wheels were changed and everything regreased. One of my
mechanics had a listen, said "front wheel bearing- start on the left
wheel"
 
 Last weekend I checked bearing play and listened for noise while
turning the wheels manually, then pulled both front wheels. All the
bearings and races looked clean &  unmarked. Tons of clean grease.
Mechanic had done a nice looking job. I put new inner bearing/race and
outer bearing on the left.  No change to noise. Took the old left inner
bearing swapped it for the inner right. No change to noise. Replaced the
right outer bearing. No change to noise. On a road test noise present
driving straight, but disappears in a long right hand off ramp turn-
makes me think its related to the left side of the vehicle
 
So I've changed everything except the outer races (loctite'd in by
mechanic) and the right inner race. And there's been no change. All
races looked really clean and even  with no apparant unevnness
discolouration or  shiny spots. I'm  thinking the bearings ain't the
problem. Or if they are,   it's related to the steering knuckle.
Comments from those who've had the front end apart? What does a noisy
speedometer cable sound like? Could this be a rear wheel bearing
manifesting in a sneaky way. Whats the symptoms of rear wheel bearings
going?
 
Right now I'm just going to drive the darn thing. I know the bearings
are good and well greased.  With rainy season starting and city driving
speeds the noise'll be masked. 
but it will still niggle at me - all that work and the problem not
solved ! 
 
Anyone been through anything like this before with their van ?
 
Bill M
82 GL
 
 
 
Bill M
82 GL