CSfiend, that is a cool trick with the coil spring. I will have to try it.

I have to say that I have had really bad results locating the bad wheel bearing by road tests. I have been fooled twice this way. What sounded like a bad bearing on the right side of the car (noise on left curve) turned out to be a bad bearing on the left side. It turned out that the bearing was louder when UNloaded. Why this is, I don't know. Of course this mistake costs half a day and $120, but the good news is you end up with two good bearings!

That coil spring trick works great when you've got a car in the air making noise but you're not sure if it'* bearing noise or tire noise. Just remember to gently touch the coil spring, don't grab it or you won't feel anything.

Nice trick.. I will have to try that out.. I"m assuming if I have a metal rod long enough to reach the springs.. I can put it to my ear to hear and feel the vibrations of bad bearings better right? Sure beats taking the wheel off this way..

thanx for the tip