Date:         Mon, 25 May 2009 21:54:48 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: front wheel bearings...chassis # location?
Comments: To: pepperd <heymrpep@YAHOO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

--- On Mon, 5/25/09, pepperd <heymrpep@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> hello list
> i am getting a humming from the front and i think it is the
> passenger side wheel bearing.  in checking out vancafe and
> busdepot for replacements, i discovered my van falls into
> one of those little anomalies that i LOVE about the van...i
> have an 11/83 manufacture date, and bus depot describes one
> bearing set  as "80 to early 84 Vanagon, thru 11/83
> production date"  and the other set as "84-up Vanagon, from
> 11/83 production date".  BD does mention a chassis number
> to check to see which i need...where do i find this on my
> westy?
> 
> any help appreciated

I just replaced one on my 83.5 Westy. There are two different ones
for the outer bearing for Vanagons. The one for the older Vanagons has
a smaller inner diameter. Both my 84 GL and 83.5 Westy have the smaller one. The one with a larger inner diameter is for newer Vanagons. 
If you are not sure which one you should get just bring yours to compare
with what they sell. 

The guy at FLAPS tried to sell me the larger one. His computer system
somehow told him the larger one is what I need for my 83.5 Westy. I insisted that he sell me the smaller one. 

The inner bearings for older and newer Vanagons are the same though.
Most likely only your outer bearing needs to be replaced. But it's a good
idea to reaplace both once you take the thing apart. You will also need
a new grease seal for the inner bearing. 

David