This sounds like it may have started as a DPO problem... but if you've been running with the big nut loose, your bearings will be shot. Replace 'em. Waaaay cheaper than throwing a wheel.

At 12:34 PM 12/27/2006 -0800, Nathaniel Poole wrote: >An actual Vanagon problem post from me. Lately I've been hearing some nasty >noise from the rear driver's wheel. Jacked it up and wheel feels smooth and >all, but there's a little slop when I wiggle the tire. I then noticed that >the PO had taken a chisel and hammer to undo the axle castle nut, which >tells me he didn't have the right tools. Also reused the old cotter pin, >which was broken. Where the slop is coming from is between the nut and the >hub. >SO there are two possibilities. The PO put the nut on hand tight 'cause he >didn't have the big socket and it's worn itself loose, or the bearings are >going and everything is starting to slop around. >I assumed the worst about the PO and was going out to buy a big socket when >I realised that just tightening the sucker might not be the solution. I know >it's supposed to be like 360 ft-lbs. >What are the symptoms of a bearing going other than a bad noise? Will the >wear actually create slack between the nut and hub? > >CV joints look and sound fine. > >Nathaniel