Wheel bearing or cv?

I know I've mentioned it before but I cannot find a good way to figure out what is broken. It's either my cv axle or my wheel bearing I'm sure.

At slow speeds as in rolling forward, no throttle I get a noticeable and rapid clicking sound from the driver side wheel. like if you had a bunch of nails in your tire or gravel in your tread. There's neither in mine. The sound goes away as I accelerate and can't be heard at normal speeds (35+ mph).

A month or two ago I replaced the original cv axle because of a torn boot. I used a reman unit from napa due to money constraints. I noticed after the install that I was missing the dust shield that protects the hub/bearing where the axle goes in. I'm getting no vibration at any speed from it. Only sign is the constant clicking.

Truck has a bit over 117K on it. it's 4x4 as well. Not sure how urgent it is but I have to be in Reno friday night and am wondering if I'll make it.

 

I've only ever heard of CV axles clicking. Bearings will usually just growl at you when they're bad

 

Ok thank you. I'll get that cv swapped out

 

Let me throw a wrench at this. My truck a 96 4x4 made this same clicking noise at low speed 1-5 mph and growled like i had giant mud tires at speed over 35 mph. It was bad wheel bearings! the click noise was worn bearings falling in and out of place. I went ahead and replaced ball joints while i had it apart its a pita and expensive. test it yourself jack it up and spin the tire by hand do you hear metal on metal or feel a vibe? there should be very little noise other than brake pads rubbing what i noticed was the vibration coming through the tire while spinning it. if in doubt remove the caliper and try it and or pull the cv then spin the hub to narrow it down. i heard bearings go bad before cv's on these trucks as long as your cv boot is in good shape. good luck

 

Stethoscope. Harbor Freight. cheap

 

Late, but yes it's the wheel bearings. I have the same issue with my truck rite now. I have my bearings on the way to replace my bad ones.

 

Does anyone know how much a good hub assembly with bearing installed runs? I'm thinking oem is gonna be a fortune. Am I wrong?

 

1st gen oem bearings cost me 65 each had a machine shop press them in along with new ball joints 30 a side.