[Vwdiesel] Advice needed on left front wheel issues

[Bryan Belman]

92 A2 Jetta, 215K, both front wheel bearings were replaced about 35K ago.

I finally got time to do the test suggested to help pin point the growling wheel sound I am hearing the loudest at 45mph.
I jacked up the front wheels, 1 at a time, get her up to 45mph and killed the motor to let it spin down.  My wife was in the car and I was at the wheel listening.
Here is what I found.

The left front does have more sound to it, but not much more then right side.

1.  But, the left front wheel has a good bit of play in and out, as if the splin nut is not on tight enough.
2.  The wheel almost seemed to wobble as it was spinning up in the air so there are issues on this side for sure.
3.  In addition, the short axle seems original and should be replaced as both boots have cracks, some leakage of greese and I do hear a bad CV joint noise when I really turn sharply and moving slow, so must be this side.  I replace the long axle about 20K ago as it has split boots and I figued that was the side the noise was coming from, but it was not.
4.  The pinion oil flange on the left side is leaking pretty good and needs replaced again, it was replace about 30K ago.
5.  I have a new strutt for this side and upper mounting bushings, so can put them in when I do all of this.


So, what to buy when ordering from Autohaus, AZ.
Short Axle and core charge until I return mine.  Oh, looks like they do not offer this, I can get this local.
Wheel bearing kit with all the clips and Axle spline nut, $35, you can go wrong here.  I can return if mine is OK.
Pinion oil seal, but they say this is for Automatic Trans only, I have 5 sp.
Differential Bearing, this is for the transmission side?

I am not convinced the wheel bearing is bad, much of my transmission noise is most likely becuase my transmission oil level is most likely low from the leaking pinion oil seal.

What is the best way to approach this job?  I hope to work with a friend in his shop to do the work, but would like to get it all done in a saturday afternoon, which is possible if the wheel bearing does not have to be pressed out.

thanks

Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :)
92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel -- running :)
82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- Not running :(
70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :(