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The short version
- The VW Bus wheel bearing story splits into three different vehicles: the air-cooled Type 2, the Vanagon, and the EuroVan.
- The Type 2 Bus, built through 1979, predates the parts catalogs entirely, so its bearings get matched from the old part through specialist suppliers.
- The 1990 to 1991 Vanagon carries a full set of documented numbers for both the 2WD and Syncro 4WD, front and rear.
- The EuroVan uses 510051 at both the front and the rear, an unusual one-number spread across two different positions.
Three vehicles wore the Bus name in North America, and the parts counter treats each one differently. One predates any catalog entirely. The other two are fully documented, right down to a rear number the front borrows too.
One number for two positions
The EuroVan chart lists 510051 for the front, 1998 through 2003, and again for the rear, 1992 through 2003.
That is one number covering two different mounting positions across overlapping year ranges, not a common pattern on this site.
VW Bus wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1998-2003 | EuroVan, front hub | 510051 check price |
| 1992-2003 | EuroVan, rear hub | 510051 check price |
| 1992-1997 | EuroVan, front hub | match old part or VIN |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon Syncro 4WD, front wheel bearing | 513180 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon Syncro 4WD, front seal | 226515 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon 2WD, front seal | 225500 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon 2WD, front inner cone and cup | LM300849-LM300811 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon 2WD, front outer race set | SET12 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon, rear inner bearing | 207 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon, rear outer bearing | RW111 check price |
| 1990-1991 | Vanagon, rear seal | 1208S check price |
| Through 1979 | Type 2 Bus, front and rear | match old part, specialist suppliers |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. On this chart a 1979 or older VW Bus is not documented, so those cars go by the old part or the VIN.
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Lookups run through the cross reference page.
The EuroVan’s 510051 covers the front only from 1998 onward, while the rear coverage reaches back to 1992.
Do not assume the shared number extends to a pre-1998 front position; match that one to the old part or the VIN instead.
Three vans, one badge, no shared parts
The Type 2, the Vanagon and the EuroVan share a nameplate lineage more than a parts bin. See the water-cooled cars from the same VW showrooms on the Jetta page and the Beetle page.
The full lineup sits on the Volkswagen page.
Camper and cargo duty
A VW Bus wheel bearing carries different loads on Vanagon and EuroVan duty than it would in a sedan, especially loaded with camping gear or cargo. That steady weight wears the hub differently than stop-and-go commuting does.
Low ground clearance adds to it, since these vans take road hits a sedan would clear; see the pothole damage page for what that does to a bearing over time.
Diagnosing a VW Bus wheel bearing
- Identify the generation first. Type 2, Vanagon and EuroVan share nothing at the wheel ends.
- Match year to drivetrain on the Vanagon. The 2WD and Syncro 4WD fronts use different bearings.
- Weave at speed and listen for the hum. Full details are on the checking page.
- Rock each wheel at twelve and six. Play at the hub points to bearing wear over suspension slop.
- Match the old part for the Type 2 and any gap years. A specialist supplier can read the physical bearing when no catalog row exists.
Common questions
What VW Bus wheel bearing fits a 1975?
Nothing in the catalogs. The air-cooled Type 2 through 1979 predates them, so match the old part through a specialist supplier.
Does the EuroVan really use the same number front and rear?
Yes, 510051 covers both, though the front window starts in 1998 while the rear reaches back to 1992.
What does the 1990-91 Vanagon Syncro need up front?
513180 for the wheel bearing itself, with seal 226515 as a separate part.
Is the Vanagon 2WD front the same as the Syncro front?
No. The 2WD front is a serviceable tapered setup with its own seal, inner cone and cup, and outer race, while the Syncro 4WD uses a ball bearing and a different seal.
Where do I find a VW Bus wheel bearing for a pre-1998 EuroVan front?
Match the old part or the VIN. The documented front row only starts at 1998.