Rear Bearing Failures

[ORCoaster]

Got it all fixed and flying this weekend.  The two new axles went on real easy.  Used that danged breaker bar to get them off.  Found that the drivers side bearings were wet and that they had some rollers that were pitted.  So those were about ready to go as well I guess.  I had a devil of a time getting a replacement jamb nut locally.  I figured that the local hardware store would have had one.  They stock so much metric it is crazy.  But no 16 MM nut with that super fine thread.  Ended up going to the local VW fix it shop and he sold me one off his shelf, complete with rounded edges and a bunch of grease on it, no extra charge.

I filled up the tank and it may be due to the slow speed I used to limp it home but I got an honest 47.5 miles per gallon.  On the return to Portland trip I used just a little less than a half a tank.  Now that it is rolling well I may be back to 50 MPG.  I hope so. 

I also replaced the thermostat and the clutch throwout bearing.  So I rolls smooth, quiet and cool now.  Time to look for headliner, carpet and gauges.  Going to steal the local GTI console if it is still there next weekend.  When it stops raining.

Thanks for all the help on this one.  Oh, I did the Bentley move the washer with the screw driver adjustment this time.  The hubs were cold to the touch both times I checked at the rest stops. 

[R.O.R-2.0]

Do you only travel the 26 route? or do you take hwy 30 sometimes too? what color is your caddy? surprised ive never seen you around, since you are somewhat "local" to me when in CB..

[ORCoaster]

I cruise the Portland to Coos Bay route, south of you.  I-5 to either 126 or 38 to the coast then down to CB.  Run a silver 1981 Rabbit with sunroof and no sound deadening.  Have to make that a priority, I keep loosing the ear plugs in the washer. 

I keep looking at the new VW's on the route I drive and I so want to put a bumper sticker on mine that says something like mine is the first, best and still getting better mileage than you.

[8v-of-fury]

I want one of those bumper stickers too Or Hybrid's eat this, near my tail pipe lol

[ORCoaster]

Oh don't get me started on the hi-birds.  No brainer there.  And they think they are saving the world or something.  Got behind a pee us yesterday and he must have been playing with the pedal to try and see if he could hyper mile it.  67.5 then down to 64 all the way down I-5.  I finally couldn't stand it any more, dropped it to 4th and powered around and up-shifted past him. 

[R.O.R-2.0]

Oh don't get me started on the hi-birds.  No brainer there.  And they think they are saving the world or something.  Got behind a pee us yesterday and he must have been playing with the pedal to try and see if he could hyper mile it.  67.5 then down to 64 all the way down I-5.  I finally couldn't stand it any more, dropped it to 4th and powered around and up-shifted past him. 

no one is aware of how much pollution thats produced thru manufacturing those big ass batteries for hybrids. hell, we can drive our diesels for a long time before we put off more pollution than that battery took to make..

sure, the battery doesnt directly consume fossil fuels like our cars, but i know it took a LOAD of fossil fuels to manufacture that battery. it takes electricity (usually coal powered) and raw materials (transported from the mines by diesel) along with specialty machines for making the batteries..

sorry guys, im going to stick to my diesel burner..

[ORCoaster]

I will say the combination that holds my interest is the diesel, small say 900 cc, with an electric motor for its basic power.  Keep the battery footprint down and you may just get me to look twice.  Once for the basics then the real cost of doing business.  How can anyone bicker with those of us driving, no recycling, our 30 year old cars and pick ups that get as good or better miles per than they think they are?  Then do I ever laugh when folks question me about buying that "expensive diesel"  like 30 cents a gallon on fuel that is already 4 bucks is that much more.  When I ask them how many gallons they are buying for their economy car they tell me about 20, well boys that is two tanks in my zipper car and that would take me just a bit over 800 miles with a good margin of safety to the next station.  General reaction= NO WAY.  That is why I keep the mileage and gallons all in a book in the glove compartment.  Proof.  End of Discussion.