Rear end noise when turning left, much louder with people in the back seat!

[SHOBrad]

My '97 Mountaineer (140k, AWD, V8) has a new noise. When taking a left curve at speed (20+) and pretty much only when I have someone riding in the back seat I get a substantial popping noise. Not a constant rhythm, more random. It's definitely louder with the windows down and there is no noise when turning right. Wheel bearing maybe? It kind-of sounds like a tensioned steel cable sitting against something hard like concrete and being plucked so that it slaps the surface, like you would do to a chalk-line.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
Brad

 

[domeshot14]

If the noise is anything like I'm hearing in mine then it most likely is a wheel bearing (or hub..or w/e u wanna call it). Is there a groaning/grinding noise that coincides with the revolution of the tires? Also have the hubs been replaced before? I have 137k on my Ex with stock hubs and they are just about to crap out on me. With 140k, and assuming you have the original hubs, it's probably time to replace 'em. Of course it all depends how much you beat on your truck. If you drive it like I drive mine then that explains a lot..lol.