The wheel bearings on a front wheel drive car help to take the weight, or load, off the axles. The bearings allow smooth rotation of the wheels and keep them rolling straight. Over time, the bearing assembly begins to wear down as either the grease inside the bearings dries up or the bearing begins to leak. To confirm that the wheel bearing is about to fail, you need to perform a simple check.
Support the vehicle on jack stands. Raise the vehicle using the front jack point and place jack stands under the front pinch welds. Then, lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
Face the wheel and imagine a clock face. Grab the wheel at the "12 o'clock" position with one hand and the "6 o'clock" position with the other.
Push in on the wheel at the "12 o'clock" position while you pull out on the "6 o'clock" position with the other hand. Shake the wheel like this several times in rapid succession. If the wheel moves (if there is slack or "play" in the wheel), then the wheel bearing is failing and must be replaced immediately.
