I figured I should swallow my pride and post an update on this thread. In the 8 months since I posted this I replaced both front wheel bearings with NO improvement to the original problem/noise. I need a big "FAIL" on my forehead for this one, I have learned alot through this process.
Things learned:
1. The complete Toyota bearing and hub assemblies can be found on Ebay from a seller (d56h) out of VA. I believe he may work for a Toyota Dealer and is buying the parts at a discount, assembling them and selling them as a complete unit. He even included the o-ring seal and new grease seal/cap for the hub. All this for $165 shipped USPS Priority mail flate rate medium box. He has 2 & 4WD units if you send him a message. He was very helpful.
Toyota 4Runner , Lexus GX470 Front wheel bearing & hub | eBay
2. Make sure the shop you have do the press work (if you can't find a complete unit) really knows what they are doing. When I did the first side I went to a suspension/alignment shop I thought was ok and showed them the Toyota tech manual, they looked up the entire job with there on-line program (not sure what it was now) and they were like, (sure bring the steering knuckle in and the new parts and we will just charge you a straight Hourly rate to do it). Well They didn't have the spanner nut or torque wrench required to torque the wheel nut to 205 ft lbs and could not press the old bearing off. They had it from 9am one morning until 5 that evening and didn't get it done. It was not until the next day after they took it to another machine shop they were able to press off the old bearing and press on the new. So the first side total cost was about $210. Much better than $800 quote from stealer for 1 side.
3. Side 2 (Right/passenger Side) Ordered complete assembly from ebay seller above. 1 hour in driveway, done!!! $165 total. Grand total for 2 sides $375. Still much better the $1600 from dealer
4. Find a trusted friend/family member that is/was a mechanic that will help you diagnois the problem over a beer and to slap you when you say or think something stupid!!
5. If you are getting all the parts yourself and pressing them together I Highly suggest getting a new hub also, just not the bearing. You will save down time for the vehicle and a possible issue of damaging the old hub while removing the old bearing.
And here I am today. After the help of person in #4 above and a much needed slap in the back of the head:rockthrow:, we have pretty much narrowed it down to the right rear wheel bearing. The only issue I have with this is, I feel it in the steering wheel at times. It is like a road vibration, nothing you can see in the steering wheel, maybe it is the way the tires are wearing. The tires all look ok, no visible cupping ect... IDK that may be a whole other issue all together and I am just to consummed with the other. I swerve to the right (loading the left/drivers side), noise/grind/hum is still there. Swerve to the left (loading the right/passenger side) the noise all but goes away. I will say the noise has not gotten significantly worse over the last 8 months. The volume has only slightly increased and you may be able to hear it sooner at say 35-40mph to about 70ish. It used to be about 45-50 to 65ish. So I am soon to pull the right rear axle (w/ person from #4) and have the bearing pressed off and the new on at (cross my fingers) a good machine shop that will not damage the axle. I hope someone will gain from my slow learning curve!!
and lots of :beer: last thursday night after finding out the bearing was not the fix.
arty:
