Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:56:59 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: PEX front bearings WARNING-big brake kits!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I have installed a number of those kits and have had to deal with the
spacers (Lawson 5/8 washers 88451) work perfectly. Worse though was dealing
with the hose and making sure it will not rub on the tire (especially with
wider tires) and then being too short if the van is lifted with the wheels
at full lock. And also on the 2WD the hub being an excessively tight fit
inside the rotor.
One of the skills required of being a mechanic is being very detailed
oriented and paying attention to the design and fit of parts especially
replacement parts. With few exceptions all aftermarket parts have some
detail that in addition to the non dealer distribution costs makes them a
lower cost alternative. The differences can be very subtle such as surface
finish to being a cheaper material or a design change. As an installer you
have to take the responsibility to check everything and determine the
"suitability" of that part for the job. Sometimes parts are just so bad
they should not be used. This is especially true of modifications, upgrades
etc.
Parts sold as OEM or from an OEM supplier does not indicate that the part is
the same as the one originally installed from the factory. Not even if it
says OEM specifications. An example would be a bolt specification such as M8
X 50 X 1.25. Yes you can get a bolt that fits but what grade is? VW is bad
in this regard in that the ETKA parts listing usually does not list this.
Same for fuel hose. If you look at the current ETKA there are actually three
different 7mm fuel hoses used. If you go to the dealer and order the three
different numbers you get three noticeably different hoses. Yet most use the
same hose everywhere. How about suspension parts. The Melye ball joints and
tie rod ends often come with the nylon lock nuts. I have seen the tie rods
come with a fine thread and the nylon nut and also the course thread using a
castle nut and cotter pin. Have even received one of each when getting a
set. If you order these nuts (ball joints),from the dealer they are an all
steel locknut with the black oxide finish. You know the nylon lock nuts are
soft since they have to be crimped cold.
As for the PEX bearing kits, for most suppliers the OEM shouldered crimp
nuts are very hard to get cheaply. So to do this job right either order the
crimp nuts from the dealer or one of our suppliers or get "jam" nuts and
install two back to back. Make sure the thrust washer is not worn and that
the tab is in place. Of course the spindle has to be checked for wear also.
The inner race should not spin with the bearing loaded. I have seen many
bearings haves short lives due to improper installation.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2012 4:21 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: PEX front bearings WARNING
Re :
the PEX front bearing kits come with the wrong nut.
- and they knew it but didn't inform you.
Again, sorry to say, this it not that uncommon.
there is a vendor that did or may still, sell a bigger front disc brake kit
and they don't tell you a spacer is needed to mount the caliper.
( think that is corrected now though ) They don't provide much in the way
of a provision to keep the brake hose where it goes to the caliper firmly
mounted ( stock vanagon caliper has a bracket on the caliper there for the
hose-to-pipe junction there ) ..
- mounted to the caliper so suspension movement on the brake hose is not
transferred to the metal pipe .
Eventually that small brake pipe could break from metal fatigue.
As far as I know they don't inform people of this critical missing part.
It's totally a safety issue.
Just like junkyards supply engines or whatever with broken or missing parts
..
commonly they don't tell you in advance. After you buy it and get it , you
get to find out what is broken and missing.
Sadly ...these details .........informing people how it's not really, really
*really* what the customer thinks is it ...
fairly common, sad to say.
Most advertising is hype.
What is really 'we believe this is a good product for the price'
( a fine and fair true statement )
it touted as 'this is the ultimate part, you'll never need to buy another
one blah blah blah' ..
when it's not really true actually much of the time.
I'll stop soon here ,
saw one kit of parts advertised that way............. 'never buy one of
these again for your vanagon'.
I ask what year of two vanagon type the kit fits .
Answer - "It doesn't really fit either, It's from a non-US model and you
have to adapt some."
When the implication of 'never buy another ' is that they fit, like there
are no problems or issues, when the real truth is .." these are excellent
parts that will last indefinitely after you adapt some for them to work."
How often to people think about the concept of integrity,
or 'being in service' anyway ?
I'd write 'anyways' but it's not a word.
