What does a bad wheel bearing sound like?

[GVL]

I hearing sort of a quick "swoosh" sound from the passenger side on each wheel rotation but still can't determine if it's the front or back side. It's definitely not anything embedded in a tire so was curious if a bad wheel bearing would be the next obvious choice but I've never had to change one and I'm not sure that is the culprit anyway.

Any way to determine if it's a bearing?

What is involved with changing a bearing if that's the fix?

Is it something that needs to be fixed ASAP?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Quadsbc]

Take a right hand turn, does it get louder? Take a left hand turn does it get quieter? If yes to both, wheel bearing. If it is a bearing, I'd change it sooner than later, it will wear out quick with all the metal floating around. Too long it may get into the hub

 

[D Farms]

im curious too, sometimes i hear this intermittent rattling that sounds like small chains.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Wheel bearings are the loudest at 35-45 MPH. First swap tires side to side and see if it moves. If not, most likely a wheel bearing. Usually bad wheel bearings make a rumbling sound not a whooshing sound.

If it goes quiet, it's about to blow. Change it ASAP

 

[3bears]

it will also sound like big money flying away if it locks up

 

[Unner]

It's common for the rear ones to fail on these trucks and then cause the rear axle seals to leak. The front ones aren't nearly as common as the rear. Although, when my rear failed it gave no warning signs, until I came out one day to the passenger tire sitting in a puddle of gear oil.

 

[GVL]

Thanks guys, I had a passenger today and had him hang out the window and said its definitely the front. I'm going to swap the fronts and see if it's still in the same spot to be sure, if so I'll get the bearing replaced ASAP.

A buddy of mine swears he had the same noise but said it disappeared after rotating the tires? Worth a shot I suppose, but I'd hate for it get worse like a couple of ya mentioned.

On a good note, the rig got me up my favorite peak today to do a little plinking - good way to wrap up the weekend.