Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:54:49 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: what happened to my thrust washer?
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all I can say is 'it is better' ...............since early vans can have
outer front wheel bearing failure ..
and I don't think I've seen the later style fail ever.
with the spindle being bigger ..
and the drum bore being the same..
they had to use smaller diameter bearing rollers.
there more ....there may be more rollers ( not sure though - I'd have to
look )
therefore ...they last longer.
switch to ET30 wheels ?
when ?
as far as I know there is only one style of 14 inch steel vanagon wheel..
well, I take that back, I have seen extra heavy duty 'thicker steel'
aftermarket wheels, like for your winter set of tires, in 14 inch steel.
or perhaps the reference is to the 14 inch alloy vanagon wheel.
yeah....maybe it's the alloy.
when do those start ?
86 would be my guess .
or perhaps not until the 87 wolfsburg perhaps.
----- Original Message -----
From: "mark drillock" <mdrillock@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: what happened to my thrust washer?
> Don't get too wrapped up about that rumored "better bearing".
>
> AFAIK, all that happened was as the vans got heavier and got power
> steering VW saw the need to increase the diameter of the front spindle
> shaft end. This meant a different outer bearing with a larger inside
> diameter. The switch to ET30 offset wheels may also have been a factor.
> If someone has some other reasonable explanation I would like to hear it.
>
> Mark
>
>
> neil n wrote:
>> I had early signs of failure on my outer fronts. Likely this was due
>> to mal adjustment by me. Still I was curious about your comments.
>>
>> Googling PN's from the vanagonauts BTDT website:
>> http://www.vanagonauts.com/-Wheel-Bearings154.htm
>>
>> This PN: "Front Outer Bearing Part # 211 405 645 D Fits 83-84 Thru
>> Chassis # 24E015000" I got:
>>
>> http://www.autocarspare.com/catalog/wheel-bearing-rep.-kit/211405645ds.html
>> and
>>
>> http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-211-405-645-DGR
>>
>> Seems some early MY Vanagons used the bearing design from WAY back.
>>
>> For: "Front Outer Bearing Part # 251 405 645 B Fits Mid 84- 92 From
>> Ch.# 24E015001" found:
>>
>> http://www.autocarspare.com/catalog/wheel-bearing-rep.-kit/251405645b.html
>>
>> IIRC, the older Vanagons, have a different spindle OD on the steering
>> knuckle so those of us with the early type bearings can't simply
>> install the newer (better) outer bearings. :(
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
