How to diagnose a wheel bearing..

[RichCresci]

I've got a nice humming/rumbling sound coming from what appears to be the front drivers side wheel. I'm almost positive but before I go and spend $130 on a new one I was wondering if there's any way or tell tale signs besides checking for play to see if it's definitely that wheel and the bearing and not something else. Thanks

 

[rdop02xlt]

Just replaced my drivers side wheel bearing the other day because it started throwing grease out of the outer seal. When the passenger side went there was a grumbling/howl noise at speed. If you turn to right and the noise worsens its most likely the drivers side. Not to difficult of a job and there is a sticky in the stock 02-05 explorer forum. Good luck.

 

[RichCresci]

I wound up just replacing the driver side and it's nice and quiet again. I figured it was that side because every time it'd rain i would find a big blob of blackness on the bottom of that rim and I could feel a vibration under my feet when I drove. I've changed them before on other cars only because the abs sensor went, never because of the actual bearing. Pretty easy 1 hour job in my opinion.

 

[armysoldier30263]

ive got the vibration but no signs of grease. in yalls experience how long before it actually "went" after it started going bad?

 

[RichCresci]

I drove on mine for like a month and a half so like 4000 miles and it never "went" just got really loud and annoying.

 

[Eastcoastmod]

I drove mine for about a year and simply turned the radio up. I had no idea these things could completely let go. Imagine my surprise on the highway when the truck started swaying eratically back and forth. Fortunately I had slowed to 50mph when the rear left completely let go and the tire suddenly turned 90 deg to the right. I got lucky and saved it avoiding a roll over.

My advise...If you hear noise change it before you have a serious accident and a hefty bill. I ended up having to replace about 1700$ in parts because it ate through the shaft and decimated the brakes, knuckle etc