So there is a strange sound coming from the front right wheel of the car. when I turn it, it makes a loud groaning noise. It's been doing this for a few days.

I was thinking it has something to do with the front right wheel bearing.

Any other suggestions? If it's the wheel bearing, how hard is it to do yourself? Anyone have a step by step DIY? Thanks!

 

Moving while turning? Groan is a bearing sound. Clicking would be more typical of the CV joint. Standing still and turning the wheel would be steering pump/rack.

Mini experts will be able to be more specific, but you will help them by being more detailed in the symptom description.

 

Yeah, but only at slow speeds. At high speeds and turning I don't hear anything. Thanks!

 

Sometimes you can tell it's the wheel bearing by jacking that corner up and giving the wheel a spin. Sometimes you have to take the wheel off and give it a spin.

They're attached with 4 bolts. An easy DIY job. The part is pricey.

I replaced both drivers side bearings on my old '02 MCS within about a month of each other in '07. On that car the fronts and the rears were the same.

I had more of a vibration, like driving over one of those open steel grid bridges.

 

Bearing usually sounds off only in one direction, usually when the car is moving away from the offending tire. If you get the car up in the air and are able to wiggle the tire (up/down) you are pretty sure it is a bearing. The tire shouldn't move without the entire suspension and car wiggling too.

EDIT: Two things. Don't kill or hurt yourself when the car is in the air. Second, just because you can't sense or notice a wiggle doesn't mean it is not the bearing. This is only a positive result diagnosis, not a negative result elimination.

 

More than likely the bearing. I had my front right one replaced same day at the dealer. Problem solved.

 

Thanks guys!

I had some other people also suggest checking the power steering fluid and power steering pump so I'll do that as well. Thanks again!