Wheel bearing and wheel questions

[Thing #6]

I have just bought a kit car (Crawford Thing, based on the EMPI Sportster), that the paperwork calls a 1967 "SD" bug. The design uses the pan and running gear, with a sheet metal body.

I've already determined that it was built from a couple of different years' worth of parts (the engine has an AE code, working the numbers tells me it was made in 1971).

I need to replace the LR wheel bearing and seal. I got started, then realized that the front wheels are 4-lug, the rear are 5-lug (swing axle).

Thus, the first question: What year did they change from 5 to 4?

The next question: Is there any positive way to determine which year the rear axle is from, so that I get the right bearings and seals? I got a set of these from the FO, and I'm guessing that he ordered them for a '67. Before I tear this the rest of the way apart, I want to have the right parts to reassemble.

Third question: I've heard that its a Really Obnoxious Situation to let the rear axle move outward from the trans -- is there a retainer of some kind that I should get, to keep this from happening?

Fourth question: Can someone point me to a How-To for pulling and replacing the bearings and seals?

[67rustavenger]

[Thing #6]

Thanks!

I got the wheel end taken apart, and the bearings look good and roll smoothly Oil seal was history, but it seems that the FO was being overly cautious when reporting a bad bearing.

I have a new seal on the way, and will reassemble everything then check for too much play, grinding, etc.

[Thing #6]

Ok, now . . .

All of the exploded drawings that I see of the rear swing axle show a single "square" paper seal.

My seal kits each came with TWO paper seals.

Am I missing something here?

What do I do with the second seal?

[67rustavenger]

Save it for a rainy day!

The kits come with the extra paper gaskets for other applications.

Kinda like carb rebuild kits that fit many different carbs.
Just pick out the parts you need and ignore the rest.

EDIT: Or you can hang onto the gasket. Someday there will be a poster here that needs one. Mail it to them free of cost. I do! It creates good Karma with the VW family here.
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GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Thing #6]

Cool! I was hoping that it was just a spare, so now I can do the work this weekend.