Date:         Thu, 6 Jun 2013 22:46:09 -0400
Reply-To:     Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Wheel bearings

The front wheel bearings are pretty simple.  You can reuse the peened axle
nut if you want or buy new ones as recomended by the Bentley manual.  I
recently replaced my front axle nuts with the split axle nut from a 911
Porsche.  This allows adjusting bearing preload at any time without
repeening the nut.  Check the archives here or in the SubaruVanagon Yahoo
list for my write up.

To remove the 46 mm rear axle nut, don't use the cheap flat steel hammer
wrench that all the vendors sell.  Buy a 1 13/16" 3/4" drive socket (about
$14 from NAPA) and borrow a 3/4" drive breaker bar (from Autozone or a
friend) and use a 2 to 3 ft long cheater pipe.  The nut will come off smooth
as butter.  Be sure to have the wheel resting on the ground to do this.  You
can retorque the nut on reassembly by dividing the required assembly torque
(360 ft lb I think) by your body weight.  Gently stand on the wrench this
far out (in feet) on the cheater bar.  The nut will then tighten to the
exact torque required.  Don't bounce on the bar, simple steady pressure is
all that is needed.  Do have the wheel resting on the ground to do this or
you won't be able to keep it from turning.  If you try to use the cheap flat
steel wrench and. a hammer, you will probably end up hitting your rim, a lug
bolt, or the axle threads and make a mess of whatever you hit.  You will
also have no idea how tight the nut is on replacement.  See my note in the
archives either here or in the SubaruVanagon Yahoo list.

Wheel bearings are pretty easy to repack. Just follow the directions in the
Bentley manual, use quality bearings, quality grease of the proper type
(synthetic is good), and keep things clean.  Pack the bearings full of
grease but don't try to pack all the open space in the hubs full of grease.
 If you do, when the bearings get warm grease will be forced out and
contaminate your brake surfaces.

If you run into problems, ask the list.  There are plenty of people that
will be glad to help with your questions.

Good luck.