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dubbified
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Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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 Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:38 pm Post subject: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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Last summer I repacked my bearings, and was going to check all wheels for play, and apparently need to retighten the main drive nut.
It has already been peened one time, zero miles.
Could/Should I reuse it? |
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dhaavers
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Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8407
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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Yes, can be re-used but find a new spot for the new “peen”.
Or, invest in and start re-using these re-reusable nuts:
https://t3technique.com/products/front-wheel-beari...&_ss=r
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>
Last edited by dhaavers on Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:29 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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scotty timmerman
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Joined: January 10, 2010
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dhaavers
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Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8407
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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It’s been a while but IIRC, there are two opposite sides of the spindle clearanced for peening the nut. If you peened on top first time, peen from the bottom into fresh metal. On an un-rotated bearing I wouldn’t give it a second thought.
The T3 nuts are bombproof though, and you’ll never need to buy another.
…plus, Chris is a great guy!
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4561
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:38 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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Just as a reference on what they look like installed.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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Thanks for the suggestions!
When I repacked my front bearings with fresh Redline CV2, I put on new Busdepot axle nuts and peened with a round tip steel punch.
They are 0 mile, so Id like to save them if possible. Being its not a torque to yield.. I'm good with hearing I can re-peen.
The peen wont even be in the same place, as tightening the nut will shift the clocking of the nut on the axle either way. Will clean it up, re-peen.
I did see those Nifty T3 Benzo versions, very nice.
It has been on jacks for nearly 3 yrs... I am down to putting the dash cowl back on..
Cant drive it with slack in that bearing.. I really miss applications with PRESSED in bearings.. C clips to hold them in place.. like the rears. |
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DanHoug
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Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5709
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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re-peening is fine, especially if you are close to a first drive!! but those nuts suck compared to the Mercedes nuts and once you have them, you'll never want to see another peenable nut. they are SO nice to set, check, drive, test wheel bearings.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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Franklinstower
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 1993
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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Everytime I was at a u pull parts, I would grab the Mercedes threaded ones. Most the time, they don't even charge for it. So if your in a hurry and don't want to wait and order one, that's what I would do.
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug
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Abscate 
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Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23885
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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I’ve repeened BMW nuts in the same place with impeenity.
Put a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly inspection regimen in if you like
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1988M5
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Joined: January 23, 2016
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Location: Tucson, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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If able, you can swap the left and right and the odds of the past smoosh being in the same place are the same as Roulette.
BK
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1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs. |
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raygreenwood
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Joined: November 24, 2008
Posts: 23148
Location: Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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So...the front axles have standard inner and outer roller bearings?...small one on the outside and large one on the inside?...like every other ACVW?
And...you are not applying torque to these nuts at all. You are turning them until you et pre-load to the two roller bearings and then peening into a groove...right?
That is a "no-load" nut. You could reuse it 100 times and never have it fail as long as you can still peen it into the groove to some extent.
I think the thread size is 18mm x 1.0? Use one from a bay window bus or from many of the Porsche 911.
Just used the notched and machined plate/washer that the bus or 911 uses.
I think there is a thread here on this.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=513408&highlight=spindle+thread+pitch++size
Ray |
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1988M5
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Joined: January 23, 2016
Posts: 844
Location: Tucson, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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| raygreenwood wrote: |
So...the front axles have standard inner and outer roller bearings?...small one on the outside and large one on the inside?...like every other ACVW?
And...you are not applying torque to these nuts at all. You are turning them until you et pre-load to the two roller bearings and then peening into a groove...right?
That is a "no-load" nut. You could reuse it 100 times and never have it fail as long as you can still peen it into the groove to some extent.
I think the thread size is 18mm x 1.0? Use one from a bay window bus or from many of the Porsche 911.
Just used the notched and machined plate/washer that the bus or 911 uses.
I think there is a thread here on this.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=513408&highlight=spindle+thread+pitch++size
Ray |
Correct, it is a "no real load" nut, unlike the rear bearing. The way I was taught, was get it snug then spin the wheel while over tightening it, then backing off, do that a few times to land the bearings home and then just snug it again. the proper adjustment is when you can move the keyed washer behind it with a flat tipped screwdriver with "some" resistance. Never hurts to check for play after a test drive in case the seats weren't fully seated.
BK
_________________
1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs. |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23885
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:26 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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You can even do the math to see how overengineered they are.
With ca. 10 rollers taking the mass, and 1000 pounds on each corner, it’s 100 pounds on a hardened steel roller living in good grease. Its very happy .
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17147
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:47 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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| 1988M5 wrote: |
Correct, it is a "no real load" nut, unlike the rear bearing. The way I was taught, was get it snug then spin the wheel while over tightening it, then backing off, do that a few times to land the bearings home and then just snug it again. the proper adjustment is when you can move the keyed washer behind it with a flat tipped screwdriver with "some" resistance. Never hurts to check for play after a test drive in case the seats weren't fully seated.
BK |
I added the bold to your quote.
That part is very important. It ensures that the 'snug' is correct. Many folks over 'snug' them and run them too tight which does not make for a long lasting bearing. YMMV.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2025 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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Thanks guys!
I'm glad to see these developments on this thread.
Yes, the front hubs are 0 mile after re-greasing... the bearings and the axle/big brake setup have maybe 3K on them.
I pulled them as I wanted to clean behind the remachined "old Vanagon disc" was used for the Big brake kit base.
To set the waaaay back clock.. they were machined by Smallcar (Mao) right before they moved to Fife.
Evidently I need to buy those updated nuts... I like not having to peen.
But, today I own this part and am of the mind yea.. it isnt a torque to yield, and the metal is in great condition. When I reuse a bolt like this I do assure there are no burrs, or visible cracks in the metal.
Being its Nice, 70+ today, I'm going to do this, and then, the van becomes fully drivable.
omg.. did I reallllllly say that...
I'm needing to fast track the VDO cockpit guages, but the dash work is done.. for now.. Im dreaming of the Smallcar heater core update... dxing the vanagon core/hvac is high on my list for next projects. |
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DanHoug
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Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5709
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2025 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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| dubbified wrote: |
| Im dreaming of the Smallcar heater core update... dxing the vanagon core/hvac is high on my list for next projects. |
i'm very curious what they are using for a heater core! the OE Vanagon one is very large and has a high fin density for lots of BTU extraction.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2025 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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| DanHoug wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
| Im dreaming of the Smallcar heater core update... dxing the vanagon core/hvac is high on my list for next projects. |
i'm very curious what they are using for a heater core! the OE Vanagon one is very large and has a high fin density for lots of BTU extraction. |
They are using a VintageAir as I can see.. They do have a vintage air catalog, its on there.. except smallcar does a kit for the vanagon, with some custom parts as I can see.. sure one can do the same thing.. but for a COTS, commercial off the shelf setup..... it depends on how you wish to spend your life.
I like what they did. If there were better options.. I'm lookin for them.
Did I say I hate the front bearing setup? I like the rear bearing setup being sealed.. its really hard to understand why an open grease bearing in the front, and a sealed in the rear.. vs sealed all the way around, they coulda avoided that entirely. |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4561
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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| dubbified wrote: |
| DanHoug wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
| Im dreaming of the Smallcar heater core update... dxing the vanagon core/hvac is high on my list for next projects. |
i'm very curious what they are using for a heater core! the OE Vanagon one is very large and has a high fin density for lots of BTU extraction. |
They are using a VintageAir as I can see.. They do have a vintage air catalog, its on there.. except smallcar does a kit for the vanagon, with some custom parts as I can see.. sure one can do the same thing.. but for a COTS, commercial off the shelf setup..... it depends on how you wish to spend your life.
I like what they did. If there were better options.. I'm lookin for them.
Did I say I hate the front bearing setup? I like the rear bearing setup being sealed.. its really hard to understand why an open grease bearing in the front, and a sealed in the rear.. vs sealed all the way around, they coulda avoided that entirely. |
You have to remember when this vehicle was designed and produced, that re-packable front wheel bearings were the NORM, not the exception for many car makers.
The general rule was that you were going to clean,inspect, repack, or replace, your front wheel bearings with doing a brake job or at set intervals.
Once ABS became the norm, engineers wanted a tighter clearance check on the front wheel bearings for Speed sensors, so that meant eliminating the chance that someone, Tech or owner, didn't set the running clearance correctly and screw up the tolerance level of the runout of the hub or ABS ring.
So, everyone went to hub bearings that were sealed and part of an assembly, Front Wheel Drive also pushed the adjustable, serviceable bearings aside as well since it was easier to have a sealed bearing for CV shafts being supported at the HUB.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2025 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Can I re-use my 2wd front bearing nut |
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| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
| DanHoug wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
| Im dreaming of the Smallcar heater core update... dxing the vanagon core/hvac is high on my list for next projects. |
i'm very curious what they are using for a heater core! the OE Vanagon one is very large and has a high fin density for lots of BTU extraction. |
They are using a VintageAir as I can see.. They do have a vintage air catalog, its on there.. except smallcar does a kit for the vanagon, with some custom parts as I can see.. sure one can do the same thing.. but for a COTS, commercial off the shelf setup..... it depends on how you wish to spend your life.
I like what they did. If there were better options.. I'm lookin for them.
Did I say I hate the front bearing setup? I like the rear bearing setup being sealed.. its really hard to understand why an open grease bearing in the front, and a sealed in the rear.. vs sealed all the way around, they coulda avoided that entirely. |
You have to remember when this vehicle was designed and produced, that re-packable front wheel bearings were the NORM, not the exception for many car makers.
The general rule was that you were going to clean,inspect, repack, or replace, your front wheel bearings with doing a brake job or at set intervals.
Once ABS became the norm, engineers wanted a tighter clearance check on the front wheel bearings for Speed sensors, so that meant eliminating the chance that someone, Tech or owner, didn't set the running clearance correctly and screw up the tolerance level of the runout of the hub or ABS ring.
So, everyone went to hub bearings that were sealed and part of an assembly, Front Wheel Drive also pushed the adjustable, serviceable bearings aside as well since it was easier to have a sealed bearing for CV shafts being supported at the HUB. |
I've had 10+ MK1 Rabbit body hardtop, GTI, and Cabriolets.. 2 MK2s.. and done so many taildragger bearings.. ugggh.
Yep. Looking at my Audi, very similar front end/front wheel drive.. it has a hub, and a sealed bearing. I love my Audi.
Changing the bearings, easy.
Just the same, I am going to buy the mercedes adjustable nut.. that's gold.
Thanks everyone. Today, the issue is solved, glad to get this fixed before spring launch. |
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