Date:         Thu, 26 Feb 2004 12:33:54 -0800
Reply-To:     Ryan Press <ryan@PRESSLAB.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ryan Press <ryan@PRESSLAB.US>
Subject:      Re: Rear Axle Wiggle
In-Reply-To:  <000901c3fca1$12ff47c0$a5d891a6@laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

Larry Chase said:
> Frank,
>
> I'd like to pick your brain a little on this topic.
>
> The RoadHaus has an ongoing problem with wheel bearings on the left
> rear.
>
> In 40,000 miles of continuous driving I have been thru 4 sets (Inner &
> Outer) bearings on that one wheel.
>
> After 1500 to 2000 miles there is significant play in the wheel (TOP TO
> BOTTOM AND SIDE TO SIDE).
>
> But I tend to run it for a couple thousand more miles before replacing.
>
> BTW ... Four different shops have looked at the problem and the
> collective diagnosis is to replace the axle hub assembly.
>
> The guess is that something must be out of round.
>
> Would you have any suggestions?
>
> Also on a related note ...
>
> "re-torque the nut to 360 ft. lbs.".
>
> I have never seen a shop that actually had a torque wrench that went as
> high as 360 ft lbs.
>
> They all torque as tight as they can .... Turn to the next slot and put
> the pin in (as per Bentley).
>

Hi Larry,

Concentricity in the stub axle seems like your problem.  It may be bent
from a bad curb hit.  It might be a marred sealing surface allowing water
and dirt inside the bearings as well.

Also make sure all the old grease is removed and cleaned out, and new
high-pressure grease is used.  Mixing greases can have a bad effect.  I
use STA-PLEX red extreme pressure grease.  The load ratings are great and
it is water resistant.  High temperature too of course.

The way I torque the rear nut is to stand on a breaker bar.  I know my
weight (180 lbs) so I stand at a 2 ft radius with one of my feet on the
bar, this gets exactly the required torque.  I steady myself by holding
onto the rain gutter.

Hope that helps,
Ryan