Is this a bad left-front bearing. (sound and video)

[2004mountaineers]

Is this a bad left-front bearing. Make sure to turn the sound on, volume up, and zoom out.

2004 Mercury Mountaineer, v6, 4liter, awd, prior owner removed front drive shaft.
cross-referenced thread:
Again, it only really makes a "groaning" sound when curving right at speed (not when curving left).
See next post for right front wheel video/sound.

Groans when turning right

Vehicle makes a low-pitching groaning sound when curving right at speed such as a rightward curve in the interstate or a right-curving off-ramp. It does not seem to do that when curving left. The previous owner removed the front drive-shaft. (The vehicle pulls a little to the right when...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[2004mountaineers]

For possible comparison, here is the right front:

 

[CallMeSyd]

If it rocks in and out at the 12 and 6 o clock position it's a bad bearing. If it only rocks in and out at the 3 and 9 position it's a bad tie rod end. In other words if you can wiggle the wheel by pressing in directly at the top/bottom its a bearing. Neither wheel should have any movement in it other than spinning. It looks like both of those wheels have bad bearings.

 

[2004mountaineers]

Btw, if I need to replace one (e.g., the right front, or both), will the below part cut the mustard, for $46-shipped. Or would the salvage yard for $45 be a better plan. (I don't know how good the amazon parts are.)
Amazon product ASIN B07RQKY6ZC

 

[J_C]

^ If you intend to sell it soon, I might get a cheap generic like that. If planning to keep it, I'd get an SKF, F.AG (no period in the name, the forum code censors that as a bad word, lol), or Timken from Rock Auto.

Nothing salvage yard, that is this old and has a wear factor, unless a different type of part that can be rebuilt, and you do rebuild it. An exception would be if you're super tight on cash and accept that you may have to do the job again, in the not too distant future.

 

[TechGuru]

I and others have had good luck with WJB WA515050HD @ $63.79 , 12 Month Warranty.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3984294

The fronts are easy enough to change that you don't need the most expensive. The rears I would only use SKF or Motorcraft.

 

[2004mountaineers]

I replaced the right front bearing hub today. I picked the right one since it was the louder of the two videos I posted above.
That cured it. It no longer "groans" when I am curving right on the interstate or off-ramp. Total-cost of 30mm socket and hub: $64.

cross-reference thread:

Groans when turning right

Vehicle makes a low-pitching groaning sound when curving right at speed such as a rightward curve in the interstate or a right-curving off-ramp. It does not seem to do that when curving left. The previous owner removed the front drive-shaft. (The vehicle pulls a little to the right when...

www.explorerforum.com