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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)"


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