Hey. So I have been having this loud grinding and screaching noise coming from the front right wheel whenever I turn the wheel hard (full lock) right and drive (either in reverse or drive). I Had someone take a looksie at it and they think its the wheel bearings. Do wheel bearings (when they go bad) make this kind of noise? Also, is this a tough job to do myself or should I have someone else look into it? Thanks.

bearings usually growl. but if you let a unit bearing get real bad it can wipe out the brake as well. If you have never done this before, it will seem very difficult. you'll need some special sockets, an impact gun really helps to take off the 36mm nut since the torque is about 240lbs. and if the unit bearing is rusted in it can be challenging to remove it. but if you want to try I can give you a step by step on how to do it. easy way to tell if it's the bearing is to jack up tire, grab top and bottom of tire and pull/push if you feel movement it's the bearing.

Could be a U-joint, wheel bearing (Hub Assembly) or debris in the brakes.

You could jack the front end off the ground and spin tire by hand to see if you hear the noise as well.

Physically grasp the u-joints on the front axle for that side and see if there's any excessive play. To check the Hub Assembly, jack the front end off the ground and place your hands at top & bottom of tire and rock back & forth to see if there's alot of play. If theres excessive play you should be able to notice it as the axle shaft will try to rock as well.

Chris

thanks! I saw a write up on the installation, looks pretty involved. Can i swap just the bearings or are the bearings integral with the hub to where I have to get the whole assembly? 98 TJ sport.
Thanks.

all one unit. hub bearing assembly. about $140 each at parts store.

NAPA has a quality one for about $130 with a lifetime warranty. I never have had to replace the NAPA hub either. Cheaper hubs had to be replaced every 30,000 or so.