Bad wheel bearing/hub??

[jleffert]

info: 1998 4runner SR5 190,000miles.
About 2 weeks ago I started noticing a cyclic squeak coming from my front right wheel and it has started to get rather annoying and also slightly concerned. It increases as my rpms increase and doesn't seem to change when I brake. I lifted the front end and started spinning the wheel to see if I could still hear the noise, and yes I could. I then removed the caliper to see if my issue was a brake squeak, but the noise persisted. It sounds like its coming from the wheel bearing. I haven't noticed any "growling" or similar noises that many have mentioned with bad wheel bearings/hubs. Does anyone have any other ideas? Or if you think its a wheel bearing, is it as simple as unbolting a wheel hub and putting a new one on, or am I looking at a lot more work? Thanks!!

 

[tystaco]

Could be bearing. Hands at 6 and 12 and check for any rock at all...if there is, you need to replace the bearing.

 

[jleffert]

Could be bearing. Hands at 6 and 12 and check for any rock at all...if there is, you need to replace the bearing.

I checked that about a month ago when doing tie rod replacements but I will check again tomorrow. I'm guessing the bearing could still need replacement even if there is not 6-12 play? Would I have to press out old and press in new bearings or is it a hub that i can unbolt and bolt in a whole new one? Thanks

 

[JohnMc]

The bearing is pressed into the brake backing plate. You unbolt that and the axle slides out, then the new bearing has to be pressed in place on the axle shaft and the backing plate.

And there is an ABS sensor ring and an axle seal flange that are also pressed onto the axle shaft. Pay particular attention to the air gap between those and the bearing when pressing the new bearings on. Thre's a small gap. If everything is pressed on together until they all touch, then the seal will not touch the flange as it will be too far outboard.