Front wheel bearing education

[TILA]

I had a hum coming from the front of my Tahoe. Seemed tell tale bearing noise, although I couldn't really identify which side it was coming from. I kind of thought it was coming from the driver side, but after giving it the road tests from a lot of YouTube videos, I decided it was the passenger side (swerve right and the noise goes away). I replaced the passenger side but the noise stayed the same.

The noise went away after replacing the driver side. I should have followed my gut and just changed both at the same time. The passenger side would have been right behind the other had I picked the right side to start with.

 

[Geotrash]

I had a hum coming from the front of my Tahoe. Seemed tell tale bearing noise, although I couldn't really identify which side it was coming from. I kind of thought it was coming from the driver side, but after giving it the road tests from a lot of YouTube videos, I decided it was the passenger side (swerve right and the noise goes away). I replaced the passenger side but the noise stayed the same.

The noise went away after replacing the driver side. I should have followed my gut and just changed both at the same time. The passenger side would have been right behind the other had I picked the right side to start with.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It adds to our collective knowledge and will help others.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I've never been in a vehicle where it was easy (for me) to tell where an exterior noise was coming from. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sparksalot]

Both have the same miles on them, you might as well do the pair. I did both on Lola last weekend. Turns out both had leaking seals.

 

[Danny3737]

I can tell you from experience, it doesn’t matter which side you think the noise is coming from. Replace both ASAP.

I had a hum coming from the front of my Tahoe. Seemed tell tale bearing noise, although I couldn't really identify which side it was coming from. I kind of thought it was coming from the driver side, but after giving it the road tests from a lot of YouTube videos, I decided it was the passenger side (swerve right and the noise goes away). I replaced the passenger side but the noise stayed the same.

The noise went away after replacing the driver side. I should have followed my gut and just changed both at the same time. The passenger side would have been right behind the other had I picked the right side to start with.

 

[Just Fishing]

learned that with ball joints as well.
Every time i replace one side, i end up doing the other side within a month or two.

 

[PG01]

Two sides to any vehicle... I do everything in pairs.... more a ‘Murphy’ thing for me tho

 

[Danny3737]

I wonder If that’s where the term “ half-ass” came from

Two sides to any vehicle... I do everything in pairs.... more a ‘Murphy’ thing for me tho

 

[YukonXLMan]

Completely agree with the 'change both' mantra. I have 90K miles on my rig and just changed both. Started with a hum that got progressively louder above 35 mph. First thought it was my tire, so had them checked. Nope.
Once I realized I could turn the wheel rapidly back and forth and it would go away on a left turn, but not right, I bought both and prepared to work. I thought, based on it going away on a left turn, it was the passenger bearing so I replaced it first then test rode. It was the offender. bearing spun very freely when off truck. Almost decided to wait on the driver's side, out of laziness, but bit the bullet and did it right then, since I had all the tools out to do it. GLAD I DID! it was leaking grease out the rear seal.
Though it wasn't needed at the moment, I decided to change out the brake pads at the same time, since I had to remove everything to do that job anyway. Added maybe 15 minutes to the entire job.

 

[Foggy]

There are a bunch of wheel bearing assembly brands out there.. From
what I've read, the SK were the best, but aren't made here anymore..
What's the "quality" brand that you guys have found last ???
I've also seen the "hybrid" style that have roller balls and cone shaped bearings...

Please share your experiences you've had recently, Thanks !