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Volkswagen Vanagon: 1980-1991 (T3) Question on Wheel Bearing Wear

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Last Post: Oct 21, 2009 5:48 PM Last Post By: tcovenant2000
sabreguy

Posts: 12
Registered: 11/22/06
Question on Wheel Bearing Wear
Posted: Sep 25, 2009 8:25 PM
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I have an 87 Westy that we pull behind our motorhome about 7,000 miles a year. There is an additional 8,000 miles of normal driving. Total miles to date is 315K. After towing for a season I have noticed that the front wheel bearings loosen up noticably but no apparent wear or deterioration of bearing rollers or cages. Relubing and tightening to spec seems to be all that is necessary. I had to replace the rear wheel bearing 18 months ago and am again in an adjust/replace for the rears.

My thoughts on this situation are that towing the van puts some additional lateral pressure on the front bearings when going around corners, much more so than normal driving. The steering wheel is free to turn and the front wheels track OK except, I suspect, that there is some level of "dragging" affect in corners. The van is usually towed with no additional weight in it.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is there any logic to this or should I be thinking along other lines? Same question relative to the rear wheel bearings.
tcovenant2000

Posts: 1,278
Registered: 12/09/03
Re: Question on Wheel Bearing Wear
Posted: Oct 21, 2009 5:48 PM   in response to: sabreguy in response to: sabreguy
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I think the easy answer is you're on the right track. There is a huge difference between pushing the front wheels (rear-wheel drive) and pulling them. It has to do with the origin of force. When driving the force comes from behind. When pulling it comes from the front.
In addition to this, when you are towing there is no active steering, as you have noted. So, yes. The car isn't designed to be rolled that way and it will show. Not so sure about the rear bearings...You're doing 15K a year, so 22K in 18 months...that seems to be a lot of wear for the rears.
My father-in-law tows a jeep and he complains of this exact problem (front bearings). I'd recommend that you find a good RV forum and ask for ideas to prevent this. You might want to consider a tow dolly for your dinghy also.

Thomas
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