prostock1

I have a growling sound going around corners, it seems to be coming from the left front. The brakes and everything look ok, so I am wondering if it's a bad wheel bearing.

If so, how hard are they to replace?

vegaskurt

Could be the bearing or the CV. I am pretty sure the bearing has to be pressed out and a new one pressed in but I could be wrong.

MTL_4runner

Yep, you're right, they are a serious PITA......not your average DIY job. Unless you are reasonably skilled and have your own hydraulic press, have a shop do it......at the very least take the spindle off and take that to a shop/dealer to press in a new bearing.

prostock1

Does this sound like a bearing? It seems to get louder as the car gets hotter.

It sounds like it's from the left front, but gets worse going left. Usually a bearing will do it on the left when making a right turn.

WHORERUNNER

You'll be surpised, I had a 98 grand prix GTP that had a bad bearing. I thought it was the driver side,I decided to replace both sides since I thought the passenger side will go out soon after. I started w/ the passenger side first.Before I jumped to do the driver side(the bad one,err so I thought) I took it out for a spin.Problem solved,took back the other bearing for a refund, since then no probs. You mentioned it gets worse as it gets hotter, I take it that you mean faster, because mine sounded like an airplane ready for take off the faster I went. If you take it to the shop get OEM bearings.

prostock1

No, I mean the noise is not as loud when you first start driving. As you drive more, it gets louder.

MTL_4runner

That sounds like a bearing to me because it usually a classic case when you load it from the side (as you would when turning) it gets louder. Seems like a textbook case, but you never know til you get in there.