Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger024x4
sounds like a wheel bearing. jack up the truck and grab the wheel at the 12 and 6 position and shake back and forth. if the wheel moves and the baljoints arnt, then its a wheel bearing
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I hate to say this, but this guy is wrong--the way to do it is to have someone aid you doing this.
What actually needs to happen is to lift up the driver's side on a jack. Once you've got about 8" or so off the ground, get the longest pipe or prybar you can find, put it underneath the wheel; then the assistant needs to lift up on the prybar--putting load on the suspension. As your assistant does this, watch for ball joint movement--it'll be real obvious if a ball joint is bad. If there is no movement of the ball joint, it is, ten to one, your wheel bearings.
However, I am inclined to say that your wheel bearings are probably already shot--the howling noise is from them being dry for so long that they are slowly coming apart. As such, I would not drive the vehicle any more than what you need to, as if your bearings blow while you drive it, you'll be paying for more than a wheel bearing.
I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but dude, I'd hate to see your wheel bearing job--which, if you do the work yourself, costs less than $60--turn into a job which could cost thousands.