Date:         Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:01:08 +1000
Reply-To:     Dan Andrews <devilish.dan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dan Andrews <devilish.dan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Undoing the big nut on the upper ball joint - who knows how?
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds19C8FF8CFA49FA79B76A1AA0B00@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Dennis, Howard, Dan, Mike, List Members,

Thanks for the all of the suggestions - I spent the day entertaining my
little girl today - so no work got done on the van .  Happily it's a matter
of a new wheel nuts and pulling it of the stands to get it rolling - I
consider it in 'hot standby' mode...

I'm going to do a quick summary of the suggestions which have been raised
(to make sure I've considered them all, and add notes in relation to each

Disconnecting the brake hose/break pipe:  This is not really something I
want to do, unless unavoidable.  However I don't believe that they would
make this a necessary part of the wheel bearing replacement process.  I have
no concerns about performing the task - it's one of the few jobs which
translates well from two decades of servicing motorbikes - I just don't want
to do it as one of the first things I did when I got the van was to flush
the brakes (and yes, the nipples were in a bad way).

Howard's very kind offer of coming to visit:  Thanks Howard - however I'm in
Sydney, Australia.  Probably a little further then you had in mind :)

It doesn't sound like a wheel bearing - they usually make a rumbling noise:
I consider this to be really valuable information (thank you).

Brake pad shudder:  Perhaps - I don't think so.  The pads and rotor are all
within spec and seem to be in good condition.  There are no noticeable
defects in the rotor or the pads.  Certainly pressing lightly on the brake
pedal doesn't stop the clicking - in fact it gets louder as brake pressure
is increased and load moves forward.  However I'll have a closer look at
this, look for anything which could be catching on the rotor and check for
distortion.

Could be something stuck in the tire: I haven't noticed anything, however
certainly a good lead - I'll give the tire a twice over in good light.

Could be a dry/stuck/etc speedo cable:  As the speedo cable rotates at the
same speed as the hubcap, I hadn't considered this.  Certainly the speedo
cable would seem to be in good order.  However I'll give this a look over,
ensure its sufficiently lubed, and check clearance with some engineer's
blue.

A large box wrench to remove the nut:  (I believe that's what we call a ring
spanner) - I had considered this - however as I need to torque it when I'm
doing it back up, I really need something which attaches to a 1/2" drive.

Could be the CV joints:  Perhaps - they were actually the first thing I
replaced when I got the van last year.  I used the cheap Chinese ones rather
the the Febi's - they were less the a quarter of the price (and I had to
really see whether there was a difference for myself - let's face it - they
don't work very hard compared to other CV joints).  In one terrible moment
late at night, I accidently dropped a ball out of one of the new ones onto
my workshop floor - this ended up with me having to completely dismantle
clean, oil, and re-assemble the new joint (which was no easy task - compared
to the old one it was really tight) before packing it.  Obviously I had
concerns about the longevity of this joint (although I never recorded which
one it was).  However my  doubts that I would be able to hear it from the
driver's seat remain - certainly I can barely hear the engine.  Perhaps
someone can offer an opinion about this?

As for undoing the big nut to remove the brake hose bracket - it would seem
an unavoidable task  when changing the wheel bearing (unless the bracket is
removed the calliper can't be swung back and tied off with wire.

Thanks again for your help.  Any other suggestions will be well received.

Regards,

-Dan



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Sunday, 28 April 2013 8:35 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Undoing the big nut on the upper ball joint - who knows how?

If he is taking things a part enough to replace the front wheel bearings,
filling and bleeding brakes should not be that much of an issue. Of course
rusted fittings and frozen bleeder valves can make that a whole new
adventure onto itself. It may be due for a brake fluid change anyway.
However I think there may some other issues as that noise description does
not sound like a usual bearing failure noise. Unfortunately when a person
decides to be a mechanic without training the school of hard knocks and
busted knuckles will take over.

Just trying to help!

Dennis



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
raceingcajun
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 2:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Undoing the big nut on the upper ball joint - who knows how?

Hi Dennis,

    I don't think I would recommend opening the brake system to a "novas"
technicition (said with all respect)! I think the bigger picture here is,
what is actually wrong with the Van. The noise as described does not sound
like a wheel bearing to me. You would think a wheel bearing would be more of
a roar increasing with speed to a certain point, not a "Click - Click" on
slowing down.
    "Dan", you don't say where you are located. I would be glad to take a
look see, if your close enough. Please state your general location, and I'm
sure myself or another list member would be glad to give you a little
helpful nudge in the right direction!

Howard

"In the land of fast cars, good looking Women, and the worlds best Gumbo,
not to mention a couple of Volkswagens held together with bailing wire,
"duck tape", and a few cuss words (in Cajun French of course)"