I have a 2003 Dakota Quad cab, that has started making a roaring noise that sounds like front tires. Just replaced the tires after 50,000 miles, with NO noticeable unusable wear pattern. The noise goes away when steer slightly to the right, and worsens when I steer to the left. Friend thinks it could be wheel bearings. Truck has 140,000 miles. Any ideas?

 

I had about 140K on my truck when my front wheel bearings wore out. You need to get the front end up on jack stands, then grab the tire at the 3:00 and 9:00 positions and push and pull to try to move the wheel/tire in and out. Any movement or play at all indicates a bad wheel bearing. You can also spin the wheel and listen for bad bearing noises. The turn to the left making the noise get worse would indicate the right front wheel bearing is bad. If they are bad it is a good idea to replace both at the same time. My own opinion is if one is bad the other can't be far behind.

Jimmy

 

I have the exact same problem on my '98 2wd with 130k miles. rt turn it gets quiet left is the same not really worse. I do also see that the front upper and lower ball joints are showing metal and the rubber boots have lifted . I picked up a set of ball joints today and the wheel bearing will arrive to the parts house tomorrow.
This is a one bearing per wheel non greasable bearing ???? How difficult is the bearing replacement??? I am on the road with limited tools not at my shop. Do you need a press for the Bearing R & R????

 

You don't need a press for the bearing. It's a hub assembly. Very easy on a 2wd, remove the caliper and rotor, remove the nut on the hub and off it comes.

 

The turn to the left making the clamor deteriorate might show the right front wheel bearing is awful. Provided that they are awful it is a great thought to swap both in the meantime.