Date:         Fri, 26 May 2006 08:03:09 -0400
Reply-To:     dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Right Rear Wheel Growl 85-1.9L
Comments: To: David Gunning <davidgunning@PIVOT.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <000801c680af$979b5750$4001a8c0@Nancy>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

If what you heard was really a growl, changed by driving direction, you are listening to bad bearings.

Dennis


----- Original Message -----
From: David Gunning <davidgunning@PIVOT.NET>
Date: Friday, May 26, 2006 6:31 am
Subject: Right Rear Wheel Growl 85-1.9L

> 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
>