2000 neon wheel bearing

I have a 2000 neon. When I drive down the road, and turn right, I hear a
grinding noise in my front end. It was suggested to me that it was the CV
axel. When I tried to rotate the axel it had no play in it. There is no
snapping or creaking when i turn the wheel. My next guess was a wheel
bearing. I jacked the car up, put my hands at 6:00 and 12:00 on the wheel
and tried to see if there was play. It was really sloppy.

Assuming my troubleshooting technique was correct, it's the wheel bearing
that is causing my problem. It is a sealed unit. How would I go about
replacing it? Do I have to get it pressed in?

Mike

 

There's no slop when you put your hands at 9 and 3?

Have a helper look at the wheel/knuckle from underneath the car while
you repeat the test. They'll be able to see where the 'slop' is coming
from, and you'll more accurately pinpoint the problem. It *sounds*
like a ball joint to me, but that's just conjecture.

You may have more than one problem, BTW. Eliminate what you know is
wrong first, then proceed from there.

--Geoff

 

It was the wheel bearing... whew.. what a job. I figured it would take me
two hours.. ended up being almost 5.

Mike