Grindind Noise Seems to Come From Driver Front Wheel

[deanamal]

Hello. I have been hearing this "low" sounding grinding noise coming from my stock 97 Ford Explorer XLT 2WD. It seems to make a faster grind-grind noise as speed increases and slows as the vehicle slows. Could this be my wheel bearings? It seems to be coming from the driver's side front wheel. It's the only thing I can imagine making this kind of noise. How easy is it to replace the bearings and races. I had replaced bearings and races on a 72 Nova before (that being my first car when I was a kid) and that seems to go easy. I can't imagine things have changed that much on wheel bearings. Any help would be appreciated - thanks!

 

[koda2000]

jack the wheel off the ground and spin it. could be wheel bearings or something caught in the brake pad. front wheel bearings on a RWD really changed at all since the 50's. biggest difference is that they're part of your brake rotor instead of an independent hub.