Old fashoned way to tell if your front bearings are worn.

[old mechanic]

Jack up the front wheels off the ground and spin one tire at a time with one hand. Put your other hand on the bumper as the tire is spinning and you will feel the roughness of a bad bearing comming from the bumper.
With my 5" palm on my hand I could do this by my self but If needed have some one else spin the tire while you press on the bumper.
BTW: We had real bumpers. Now with these plastic bumpers you may have to grab onto the bracket that ataches the bumper to the frame.
Last time I tried this method was on was a 1995 Chev 1/2 ton and it worked ok.

 

[Opera House]

Those good old days..........

I can tell you that with the new hub assemblies you can't feel anything when they are bad. With less than 2" between the bearings, wear of only 0.001 can cause a problem. One way is to jack up the lower arm and see if the tire kicks in when it breaks contact. I miss the old cheap bearings you could grease. With over 200K on my 92, I never have had to change them.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Another way also is to listen to it when you drive next to a wall in a tunnel. This is the only time you could actually hear it while driving.

 

[Hokie]

Hell, when the wheel bearings went out at 77k on my Ex Gf's '96 XLT, you could more than hear it, you could feel the friggin' pulsing through the floorboard as you were driving.

 

[old mechanic]

Re: Those good old days..........

Originally posted by Opera House
I can tell you that with the new hub assemblies you can't feel anything when they are bad. With less than 2" between the bearings, wear of only 0.001 can cause a problem. One way is to jack up the lower arm and see if the tire kicks in when it breaks contact. I miss the old cheap bearings you could grease. With over 200K on my 92, I never have had to change them.

Thats nice to hear. 200,000 and bearings still good. I guess when I put brakes in I will make sure and pack the wheel bearings so mine will last too.