Rattling/ringing Noise Coming From Front End

[joutlaw]

2004 Silverado Z71 4x4 RCSB

 

I've been getting a rattling/ringing sound coming from my front end. I can usually only here it when coming to a stop, but it almost sounds like someone banging pots and pans together.

 

I'm suspecting either a rattling brake pad against the rotor or the wheel bearings.

 

I have had an issue with my ABS light being on for at least a year. It will stay on 95% of the time, but sometimes the light goes out which causes the brakes to pulsates under 10mph.

 

The light hasn't gone off in a while, but yesterday it went off and it seemed the noise is getting louder from the front end. Today was the first day I could hear it on the way to work on the interstate.

 

I've been shopping around and it seems Timken is the best brand of wheel bearing and amazon has them for 124$ a side.

 

Should this job done in pairs? Or could I be jumping to conclusions and this be something easier.

 

I am going home this afternoon and jacking the front end up to see if there is any play.

[joutlaw]

I got home and got the left front tire in the air.

 

I'm suspecting it's the brake pad b/c there isn't much play at all while holding at the 12 and 6 position. There is however a good bit of slack on the 3 and 9 position... could that be causing the noise though? I figured that's just why I had sloppy steering... I do have around 125K miles.

 

I tried to get the caliper floating pins off, but it seems my T55 torx head has stripped or is close to stripping the top pin... the lower loosened without a problem.

 

I can deal with noise, but my main concern was for the wheel bearing. I didn't want to lose a tire going down the interstate.

 

Any input?