Front hub assembly which side to do?

[rgcary]

Good morning all. I'm going to replace my hub assembly today on one side. I'm leaning to the issue being on the passenger side, but per videos online it would be the driver side. I've taken the wheel off and you can feel slight play in the hub when moving at different points. When driving and turning in direction on passenger side (right) you hear the slight humming sound, but not when turning to the opposite side. So that would mean it's the driver side, but there is no play in the wheel like the passenger side.

Anyone recommend where to start? I'm eventually going to buy another hub assembly for the other side, but wanted to correct this issue for now.

Thanks for the input.

 

[lcbjr77]

I had a similar issue, I had play in one and not the other... I replaced both at the same time. Just figured hey first will take some time (trial by error)but the second was cake.

 

[rgcary]

Thank you and I will eventually do that. Since I only have one right now just trying to decide which side sound is coming from...

I had a similar issue, I had play in one and not the other... I replaced both at the same time. Just figured hey first will take some time (trial by error)but the second was cake.

 

[gomoboo]

Normally, if you turn left and the noise goes away, the left side is the culprit. Which ever way you turn it takes the load off that side, so the noise goes away. That is my experience anyway.

 

[ARunner]

I've heard it both ways. I'll tell you I suspected mine was making a noise when unloaded, based on what I've read. So I replaced that bearing. I'm now wondering if I was wrong or if it was the tires. Next step will be a tire rotation. I couldn't feel any wiggle when jacking the wheels off the ground. Good luck.

 

[RonJR]

I'd change the side that has play. That needs to be addressed anyway. Then see what noises you have left.

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule that will reliably point to the bad bearing based on which direction of turning makes the noise go away. There are 4 bearings involved, one outer and one inner on each wheel. If you turn left, the passenger side outer bearing gets loaded and the driver side inner bearing gets loaded. The other two are unloaded. Turning right just reverses all that. Both wheels have one loaded and one unloaded bearing regardless of turn direction, so the turn test can be kind of inconclusive.

 

[having fun]

If you have taken the wheel off, and can feel play and all nuts and bolts are tight, that wheel bearing is your problem.

Mine had the same play and no bad bearing noise. Removed and you can really tell then.