Thanks Mark - your response is the only one I have = received suggesting replacement, but is more akin to my way of = thinking.  I have no idea what I am getting into relative to the = front brakes or the ball joints (I am assuming it is pretty = straightforward) - is the bearing replacement something that requires a = hydraulic press to install/remove them?

I was planning to have my mechanic do the (custom) = spring and (OME) shock replacement on the front, and at the same time = replace the bushings and ball joints.  Possibly even do the front = brakes, replace the rotors, and rebuild the calipers. 

Are there any parts of that job that you would = suggest that I tackle on my own?  I am a pretty competent = mechanic, but I have developed an aversion to dirty jobs that require = multiple days, busted knuckles, and extended periods of laying on one's = back grunting and swearing. (I get enough of that at work everyday, and = I'm a sales manager for a software company!)  :-)

Also, do you know if all the Syncros use the Girling = Calipers?

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Drillock [mailto:drillock@earthlink.net= ]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 1:14 PM
To: BRENT CHRISTENSEN
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Replacing brake rotors [Syncro

Brent, on most Vanagons the front wheel bearing races = are pressed into
the rotors so changing the bearings is convenient = when changing the
rotors. Not on Syncros and at least some South = African 2wd models, as
these have rotors that can be easily changed without = involving the
bearings. If you are changing the lower ball joints = on your Syncro, I
think that you will have the bearing housings out = anyway. Given the
~200K miles on it, I would change the bearings while = it is apart to save
labor charges later. The bearing do wear out.

Mark