Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 1998 08:57:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Ian Cameron <ianc@UVIC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Ian Cameron <ianc@UVIC.CA>
Subject:      Wheel bearings
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have to pack the front wheel bearings in my 82 Westy.  Haynes says
blithely "Undo the large nut that joins the upper control arm to the
steering knuckle and remove the flexible brake line."
I have three questions. First, what idiot decided that in order to pack
wheel bearings (every 20,000 miles) it would be necessary to remove a great
big nut, torqued to 100 foot pounds or more, in an awkward place?
Second, having made that decision, why did he (or they - this looks like a
committee decision to me) design it so that you couldn't get a socket on
it?  And how do you torque it without using a socket?
And third, how the hell DO you get that nut off?  Box end spanner and a
looooong cheater?  Or do I hire Arnold Swartzenegger?  I sure can't make it
turn.