In a message dated 10/18/2001 11:14:45 PM Eastern Daylight T=
ime, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Oops Re: Type 2 Rear Axle nut c=
oming loose?
One of the reasons this nut comes loose=
is that the spacer between the inner and outer bearings wears. Once i=
t becomes too short from wear then you can tighten the axle nut all you want=
but you will not be able to get rid of the slack since the nut bottoms out =
on the splines and cannot tighten up on the hub. You must either repla=
ce this spacer, BIG JOB ! OR.... install a spacer behind the nut which=
will go over the splines and allow the nut to tighten up on the hub. =
I have done this with no ill consequences. The reason the spacer gets =
worn is that for some reason the nut came loose and you kept on driving.&nbs=
p; How the nut comes loose in the first place, I do not know. Could be=
improper installation somewhere in its life. They are supposed to be =
torqued to 300 foot pounds then locked in place with a cotter pin. If =
someone took off this nut to do a brake job, which BTW is completely unneces=
sary, then installed it without the proper torque then it would definitely c=
ome loose because the spacer will wear !
REMEMBER, the spacer is there to keep a=
predetermined load on the wheel bearings. Installing the spacer as I =
have suggested will load the bearing more and MAY induce premature wear of t=
he bearings. You must make this judgement yourself. Depends on t=
he amount of wear on the spacer. In my case it was minimal and the bea=
rings were not unduly stressed.
Peace
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW C=
amper camping event, Almonte, ON, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & Capital City VW Club
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless=
Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli & =
Associates or http://frankcondelli.com