I have a 2003 Grand caravan. Started noticing a buzzing or humming sound coming from the front end. I had both tires replaced under warranty but the sound remained. So I decided it must be a wheel bearing.

The sound is pretty constant going straight. If I make a lane change to the right the sound goes away, and a lane change to the left makes it get worse. Based on this I decided that it must be the passenger right wheel since it gets worse when more stress is applied to the right front when changing lanes to the left. But my wife and the tire guy thinks the sound is coming from the left front. I only want to replace this once, so what would anybody on here guess?

I also need an easy procedure for a do-it-yourselfer with limited tools. My wife an I will get it done as we have done all maintenance ourselves, just need a straight-forward procedure.

Thanks in advance.

 

First off, each bearing has an inner and outer bearing so you can't determine the side just by swearving. It's hard to determine the side with a bad bearing, sometimes if it makes noise lifted, you can isolate the side with the wheels off but if it doesn't make noise lifted, it's a crap shoot. I can give you the factory removal proceedure but sometimes getting the hub off the spindle can suck.


REMOVAL

NOTE: Replacement of the Unit III front hub/bearing assembly can be normally done without having to remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle. In the event that the hub/bearing is frozen in the steering knuckle and cannot be removed by hand, it will have to be pressed out of the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle will require removal from the vehicle to allow the hub/bearing assembly to be pressed out of the steering knuckle.

1. Raise vehicle.
2. Remove wheel lug nuts, and front tire and wheel assembly.
3. Remove the cotter pin, nut lock and spring washer from the stub axle.
4. With aid of a helper applying the brakes to keep the front hub from turning, remove the hub nut.
5. Remove disc brake caliper and adapter as an assembly from knuckle as shown. Hang assembly out of the way using a bungee cord or wire. Do not allow caliper hang by brake hose.</B>
6. Remove brake rotor from hub and bearing.
7. Push in on end of driveshaft stub shaft, pushing its splines out of the hub splines.
8. Remove the four hub and bearing mounting bolts from the rear of steering knuckle. Use care not to come in contact with and damage the ABS tone wheel on the driveshaft stub shaft upon bolt removal.</B>
9. Remove the hub and bearing assembly from the steering knuckle.

 

Thanks, much easier than the procedure I already had. Should be easy as long as the hub slides off by hand!

 

If not, try to twist the base like you were unscrewing a large nut with a hammer and punch.

 

Did both sides, easy job. Had to rent a 32mm socket and breaker bar from AZ. First side was an education. Second side took 45 minutes, start to finish. Just me, my wife, and a handful of basic tools.

Thanks for all of the help.

BTW; turned out to be the right front, the side that I suspected. Everyone said the noise seemed to be the left front so I did that side first.