Weathers going to be nice this weekend, and wanted to see what the best way to check a wheel bearing? thanks!

 

Sound is a good one.

Also grabbing the tire at 12 and 6 and trying to rock it on that pivot point. As well as grabbing it at 3 and 9 and rocking it. It should not have movement that way.

 

Ok cool - wheres a good place to jack the car up? I hear if you take pressure off the wheel (not hanging on upper control arm) you have a better feel for a bad bearing

 

I use the cradle in front. Gets both off at once

 

x2 on sound!

When you're going down the road, do you hear a howl? Otherwise, when you jack the car up, spin the wheel and listen closely for howl.

 

Nothing out of the ordinary, but I'll put the windows down!

 

mine howled like really knobby snow tires!

that was one of my last arguments with the stealership. I only went there because I needed it fixed in a hurry for a roadtrip.
They replaced the wrong one. I had already replaced the fronts, so they replaced one of my new ones and it was the rear that needed done. It howled like that for 2000 more km's. didn't seem to hurt anything else

 

I have to agree on the noise. We bought an '01 Malibu for the wife some years back and there was a terrible "whirling" or "howling" noise coming from the passenger front. Turned out to be a bad hub. If its bad you should hear it.

 

Also +1 on the wiggle-you'll notice it wiggling if it's going. Could maybe be a tie rod too, if it wiggles from 3-9 position. What makes you think wheel hub in the first place?

Also, you didn't ask, but I recently replaced my front hubs and got Timkens. Good brand and has my recommend.

 

I got it checked, the RF is bad. The ABS light is on, so that was my first thought, now I notice when turning Im getting a slight 'slide' on dry pavement when turning steering.. I won't be driving it till I get that replaced!