Date:         Mon, 7 Mar 2005 18:15:56 -0700
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Anonymous Digest <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      Rear Wheel Bearings Replace$$

Hi folks,

Its springtime in the Rockies, and time to get the old 81 air cooled  out
of the garage and into some campgrounds.

It seems I have a bad bearing on the passenger side rear wheel. Jack it
up, grab the top and bottom, and pull it back and forth, and it clunks,
and is obviously hurting. Heavy sigh.....

I am reading the archives, and am aware of the titanic torque required to
R&R the bolt to get at the bearings. No one I know has a breaker bar that
big. Any suggestions on getting something from Home Depot type places that
will do the job? Is everyong standing on their six foot bars to do this,
or is there another approach? <g>

I noticed that some people say they have just tightened the bolt and
called it good, without hearing any bad reports about it failing later in
life. Still need a bar for that, but is it a good idea? I have done that
on occasion on other car's front wheel bearings, with  no problems. Its
not a daily driver, so I have time to think it out and come up with a
plan.

Anyone take this to a a shop they consider reputable, and recall how much
it cost? Its inspection time, and the mechanics I take it to for that are
very good, and I find them honest so I might just let them do the job if I
can afford it. I will call and ask them, but would be interested in
hearing from anyone else who has paid someone to do the job for them, to
give me something to consider before I commit to the $$$.

Thanks for listening, and for any advice or comments.

John