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Date:         Sun, 30 Apr 2006 10:04:13 -0400
Reply-To:     feller@CARBONCOW.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Feller <feller@CARBONCOW.COM>
Subject:      Re: front wheel bearing questions...
In-Reply-To:  <fe510cc90b588e7206a4c0e58e7cf47e@speakeasy.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

True but I was always told that if the play is equal in all directions it's usually the bearing...but I know little of the front suspension of vanagons (and don't think I want to become an expert either!).

Thanks. Shawn

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of monte merrick Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 12:30 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: front wheel bearing questions...

its my understanding from reading more than hands on that a clunk and wiggle associated with front wheel is due to ball joints.

monte

On Apr 29, 2006, at 8:42 PM, John Rodgers wrote:

Check the wheel for play by jacking the vehicle up, then grabbing the top and bottom of the wheel in question and rock it back and forth. If there is any play at all, see if tightening the nut helps. If not, then pull the wheel and whatever else, clean and inspect with a good light and magnifying glass, the bearings and the races for wear - grooves and/or pitting. If found, replace the races and the bearings. The races can be removed with a flat tip punch and new ones installed using the old race, a block of wood, and a heavy hammer.

DO NOT use the old axle nuts. Get new ones. These nuts are a special locking type and once used lose they safety margin.

BTW, usually, but not always, a front wheel bearing develops a growl or whine when it is worn. Not a clunk. I suppose it's possible for it to clunk if you have worn the thing beyond the growl stage, or, if the axle nut is not sufficiently tight.

Good luck,

John Rodgers 88 GL Driver

robert shawn feller wrote: > I can notice a very slight play/clunk when I wiggle either front wheel > what > is most likely a wheel bearing. Its not tire rods/steering. > > > > On a vanagon is this a simple need for a repack or is any play a > definite > need for a new bearing? There is no sound what so ever coming from the > bearing. > > > > Sahwn > > >

"I long ago lost a hound, a bay horse, and a turtle dove, and am still on their trail. Many are the travelers I have spoken to concerning them, describing their tracks and what calls they answered to. I have met one or two who had heard the hound, and the tramp of the horse, and even seen the dove disappear behind a cloud, and they seemed as anxious to recover them as if they had lost them themselves." - henry thoreau


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