Growling noise front driver side - bearing hub replacement?

Sounds liek the wheel bearing (hub) I have seen many of them that made noise but didnt feel bad on initial inspection. Are you sure it is the r/f? drive slow in parking lot, if noise is louder on right turns then it is most likely right front. This video shows the job being done on a similar car but the process is the same.

https://youtu.be/ZgiPRG6jffc

Here is a guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

Please run down these guides and report back.

If I remember right the axle nut is 30mm and the three bolts that hold it on are 15mm here's how:
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WHEEL HUB & BEARINGS

Removal
1.Raise and support vehicle. Unload tension on torsion bar. See TORSION BAR. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Apply brake pedal. Remove axle shaft nut and washer. Remove rotor. See Fig. 1. Using brass drift and hammer, disengage axle shaft from wheel hub and bearing.
NOTE: Darkened areas on bearing assembly are caused by heat treatment process and do not indicate a need for replacement.
2.Remove wheel speed sensor. Remove wheel hub and bearing from steering knuckle. Remove splash shield and bearing seal.
Installation
1.To install NEW wheel hub stud, lubricate hub bore and install stud. Place 4 washers onto stud and install stud nut with flat side to washers. Tighten stud nut to draw stud into hub bore. Remove nut and washers. Install hub and bearing assembly onto axle shaft. 2.To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Depress brake pedal several times to extend caliper piston after installation.

6/9/2009

Did you get er done?

Your vehicle's front wheel bearings can not be repacked and adjusted. They MUST be replaced. Your rear wheel bearings however can indeed be repacked and adjusted.

For the repair you will need basic mechanics tools (i.E. Drift punch, lug wrench, sockets etc.) And also a special service tool called a torsion bar unloader. The new parts needed are just the new hub / bearing assembly and if you choose to do brake replacement at this time you can get pads as well. $500 is a bit high for this repair, should ask around a few other well known reputable shops for quotes. $300 is more the price range for this repair on your vehicle, including parts.

Good afternoon,

I think doing both sides is a good idea. If one side has failed the other is not far behind.

The hubs could be the ones made in China like with rockauto. But remember, shops are in business to make money, not give parts away. The price is a little high. Quality hubs are about $80.00 per side.

Roy

Removal Procedure

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1. Raise and support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement
3. Remove the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
4. Apply the brake pedal.
5. Remove the drive axle nut.
6. Remove the drive axle washer.
7. Remove the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Front in Brakes and Traction Control.

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8. Disengage the halfshaft from the wheel hub and bearing assembly. Place a brass drift against the outer end of the halfshaft in order to protect the halfshaft threads. Sharply strike the brass drift with a hammer. Do not attempt to remove the halfshaft from the hub and bearing assembly at this time.

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9. Remove the wheel speed sensor mounting bolt from the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
10. Remove the wheel speed sensor from the wheel hub and bearing assembly.

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11. Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle mounting bolts.

Important: Lay the wheel hub and bearing assembly on the hub bolts on the outboard side. This prevents damage or contamination to the bearing seal.

HI! I like your initiative!
Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced in pairs. However, it's not bad idea to check the second side since you already have to tools out.
When looking at parts online, you will generally find them cheaper online than at your local parts store because they don't have to pay for as many buildings or employees. Generally, you will have to wait longer for your parts to arrive and they will be more difficult to warranty them out or exchange them if the wrong part arrives. So, you need to balance the pros and cons.
I am also including the remove and replace procedures. If you don't have a torque wrench maybe borrow your son's for the reassembly. The right torque is important. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

This is the install:

Installation Procedure

1. Install the wheel hub and bearing seal to the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
2. Install the splash shield to the steering knuckle. Align the shield to the steering knuckle.
3. Install the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle. Align the threaded holes.
4. Install the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle mounting bolts.
Tighten the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle mounting bolts to 105 Nm (77 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the wheel speed sensor to the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
6. Install the wheel speed sensor to the wheel hub and bearing assembly mounting bolt.
Tighten the wheel speed sensor to the wheel hub and bearing assembly mounting bolt to 18 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Front in Brakes and Traction Control.
8. Apply the brake pedal.
9. Install the drive axle washer.
10. Install the drive axle nut.
Tighten the drive axle nut to 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.).
11. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
12. Load the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement
13. Lower the vehicle.

Here is a video that can help

https://youtu.be/_FzmmBoa4Tg

Please let us know what happens.

Start with checking the wheel bearings for any movement, rock the wheel top to bottom, there should be no slack.

Have you solved this problem yet? If not, can you describe the noise (clicking, popping, roaring, etc). Does it change when you go around a curve, accelerate, or brake? Does it pull in any direction?

Have you checked the wheel bearings hubs yet, don't let this develop in a more serious problem.

The whole front hub/wheel assembly is replaced as a unit. The bearing is not serviceable. The job does not require any special tools and it is fairly simple to do. I do suggest spraying some penetrating oil on all nuts and bolts before attempting to remove them--PB Blaster works great.