Replaced RH front wheel bearing; howling only 1/2 gone. Transmission?

[211]

2000 OBW manual trans 170k+ miles.
It recently started to develop a low howling in the front, very indicative of a wheel bearing. After letting it ride for another 1000 miles or so the noise got much worse and I could now identify which side it was coming from (passenger side) I could also verify this in the bends on the highway. As the highway would bend left the sound got much worse (loading the RH wheel), as the road bends right (unloading the RH wheel, loading the left) the noise goes away almost entirely.

 

Fast forward to last weekend. Replaced the RH front wheel bearing, but to my disappointment the howling has only reduced in volume by 1/2. And what's disturbing to me is it gets louder with the same highway test I described above which makes me think its still something in the RH side of the vehicle.

Is it possible that the LH bearing is also going bad and I just need to replace it? Or could there be something inside the transmission that is going kaput?
I suppose the right rear bearing could be going out but that doesn't explain the noise sounding like its coming from up front. Its most noticeable at hwy speeds of 70mph and does not appear to be center diff bearing related.

Also, CV axles are fine, boots in good shape, all ball joint and tie rod ends are tight. Just had tires rotated and the shop said they were in great shape still.
Car runs great other than the "bearing" noise.

Edited May 4, 2015 by 211

[1 Lucky Texan]

diff fluid clean and full?

 

could you detect a temperature difference in the hubs if you compared the hubs L vs R? use an infrared remote therm and nad measure after some highway runs.

 

have you tried rocking it up and down?

 

anyway, it too has 170K on it so, it's no spring chicken.

[987687]

Could be a rear bearing. They're really easy to change on that car because the're unit bearings. Just bolt the new one in.

 

It probably isn't a transmission issue, at least, that's not where I'd start. Rotate the tires and sees if the noise follows the tire. 

[AdventureSubaru]

Any uneven wear on the tire? It's common to get bad treadwear when a bearing starts to fail. The bearing ruins the tire which would make additional noise on the same side. Agreed to try rotating the tire first.

 

Other wheel bearings would also be suspect. Seizing caliper possible. And yes, check front diff fluid condition and level.

[CNY_Dave]

My 03 bad front wheel bearing responded in reverse to the turning test- it got QUIET when it was on the OUTSIDE and more loaded!

 

You may have just had the second front one go after the first made enough noise to hid it.