I was towing my race car to Sebring this past weekend and noticed a slight high pitched whining that occasionally would worry me. At that time I could not determine where it was coming from. Drove on and made it to Sebring to drop the trailer but then noticed the whine all the time and louder. Figured it for the front left wheel and jacked up that corner and the wheel wobbled 1/2 inch. I limped to Wells Chrysler in Avon Park and luckily they had Saturday service and a wheel bearing. They saved my weekend but it cost $575. The parts were $350 of that. The truck has 78,000 miles. I was surprised it went bad so soon.
I am driving 1500 miles to Maine in a few weeks. Any suggestions on potential failure areas I should check before the trip.
Thanks Rob

 

You might want to go ahead and change the left hub as well, just to be on the safe side. Or keep a spare with you. I have seen Timken hubs on ebay for about half what the dealer wants for them. I am amazed that there is a dealer service department open on a Saturday. My two closest dealers don't even sell parts on Saturday.

 

Getting the other bearing done is a good idea. I carry a spare belt and water pump. When the water pump goes, it goes fast. Next time the belt if off spin all the pulleys by hand(idler, alt, ac, ps) and see if any are rough or make unusual noise.

If getting a wheel bearing done have the axle u-joints checked as well as the ball joints. Pulling the bearing is half way into those two jobs as well.

 

If you grease those wheel bearing and hub assemblies, you will not have to replace them.