so i was driving to carmel today and when on bridges and driving next to medians, i hurt a noise. i think it may be the wheel bearing because the noise was different at different speeds and there was no noise when stopped and it didnt seem to make a huge difference if i had my brakes on or not. but im not 100% as to what a bad wheel bearing sounds like.... can someone try to describe it to me? also, if i need a new wheel bearing, how much and where should i go for that??
thanks everyone!!!

A bad wheel bearing usually will make a squeal when turning one way but not the other. Braking should have no effect on it just make the squeal slow down. Just drive straight with the window down and slightly turn the wheel left then right. You should hear it stop then start, if turning right it makes noise then its the driver's side and vise versa. I just replaced mine and went to AutoZone. They have Timken brand that've been around for a long time. Here is some instructions on how to replace them:

http://www.ny-jbodies.org/library/suspension/wheelbearing/wheelbearing_install.htm

Make sure you have a 30mm socket and a breaker bar for the hub nut, other then that just basic hand tools. I did it in about 2 hours. Pretty simple!

Later, Shane

And a torque wrench that goes to 180 ft lbs.

When my wheel bearing went bad, I felt a "thumping" on the floor of my car. Jack the car up and try to move your tire/wheel up and down/top to bottom... if it moves, it's your bearing. If you have movement left to right, it's probably a tie rod.

Either way if it's either of those you'll want to get it fixed asap.

well on the way home today, i had the window down and radio off and drove next the median... but i heard NOTHING!! hahahaha of couse!! hahah

thanks for the help everyone!!!