Front axle noise

[furray]

'08 Ranger 4x4. Its been making a hum / howl for the last 10k miles from the front axle & it's getting louder. I've had plenty of bad wheel bearings over the years but it doesn't sound like one. If I make a turn to the right it will stop but comes right back as soon as the wheels are centered & putting it in 4x4 does not change anything. Any ideas before I go tearing into it ?

 

[franklin2]

Go get one of those infrared thermometers. You should be able to get one cheap. Go for a drive, and then stop and point it at the front wheel bearings and see how the temp compares side to side. If the left is way hotter than the right, I suspect the wheel bearing. You can check for heat in other parts also comparing side to side.