Do I Have Bad Wheel Bearing?

[UGA91]

My '02 Tahoe 2wd w/98k mi has been making metalic rubbing sound lately. It does it more so when making turns/gradual curves. It sounds like similar to, but more faint than the wear indicators on the brake pads rubbing, however, the pads still have over 2/3's material left (originals) and look good.

 

I took off the pads & rotor off so just the hub will spin. There is a slight clicking sound to it, but no play in the hub. It hasn't lost any grease either. I took the hub assembly off thinking I would run and get a new one, but when I loosened up the mounting bolts, it spins freely w/out the clicking sound. I tightened it back up and the clicking returned.

 

Before I drop $180-$200 for a new hub assembly, is this the problem?

 

Thanks for any advice.

[UGA91]

By the way, I just raised and spun the other wheel. Identical clicking sound. Not sure if they are supposed to be this way or both are bad.

[UGA91]

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