Date:         Fri, 26 May 2006 06:31:47 -0400
Reply-To:     David Gunning <davidgunning@PIVOT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Gunning <davidgunning@PIVOT.NET>
Subject:      Right Rear Wheel Growl 85-1.9L
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

While doing a few errands yesterday (about 50 miles worth), noticed that when turning into a left handed road curve that there is a noticable growl coming from the right rear wheel area.  Got me thinking that it may be either one of the wheel bearings (inner or outer, or maybe both).  .   .  .or could maybe be caused by a right rear brake issue. .  .  .or could maybe be caused by the outer CV joint experiencing a lithium grease lubicant deficit, I suppose, although the odds are more remote that that would be the issue. 

When I got back to the ranch, first thing I did was to pop the rear hub caps and feel the rear axles.  Sure enough the right rear was detectably warm while the left rear axle was not.  Next thing I did was to slide underneath for an attempted feel at the outer CV joint on both wheels.  No noticable warmth at the wheel end of either shaft on either wheel.  Since I was already underneath, I also felt the inner CV joint, at the tranny end, which, to my mild surprise, was noticably slightly warm on both the right and left sides.

Questions.  Can one tell by the simple feeling of warmth, such as I have done, the possible cause of a rear wheel growl?  And, if not, what should be the next logical step to look for to try to narrow down the possibilities?

Also checked my gas mileage, Sam, and it works out to be about 15.5 miles per gallon.  Which is not great but within the normal expected range for the 1.9L, so far as I know.

Any thoughts on the next logical step I should be taking to nail down the cause of the right rear wheel growl?

Thanks,

Dave

davidgunning@pivot.net