My car has recently started making a new noise, at first it was just around corners but after a week it is doing it all the time, usually when going slow. It's an on and off scraping noise.

I jacked the front of the car up and one of the tires does this and the other doesn't:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVW_W7X2LFo

I was only able to find this video due to my suspicion that it was the bearings, this seems to confirm it, although I dont have speakers to listen to the video.
I suppose the sound is the disc going on and off contact with the brake pads

Few questions:
Is this most likely the bearings? or is there something else around there that it could be?
Are the bearings hard to replace? I have done trailer bearings before but never a car, is it very different?
I have looked at the supercheap auto parts site and they have front 'wheel kit' and 'wheel bearing kit's for magna sedans for between 100 and $130, are these the same thing just different manufacturers?

Thanks for any help,

If you are to DIY it, best removing the hub and take it down to your local suspension place (Pedders come to mind, they should be able to supply the bearing kit too) to have them press the old bearing out, new bearing in. Then go home and reassemble.

If you have play, replace it asap. I didn't and when mine went completely it obliterated my front left CV joint and I lost drive turning the corner in the maccas drivethrough at 4am. Not fun.

Not a big fan of Pedders generally... they enjoy taking a look at your car, telling you most of your suspension is stuffed, then hitting you with a $1500-$2000 quote.

I usually have a great mechanic who does most things for a good price, problem is the guy has closed up for christmas holidays (the nerve!) so I will either have to wait, or take it to somewhere that will probably overcharge me.

Life, thanks for the advice, just to clarify, are you saying to just take the hub to a suspension place? I suppose that would stop them from doing things I didn't ask for.

New question: Will I need to do a wheel alignment after changing the bearings? Because I have only just had that done...
And, do the bearing kits usually come in sets of 2? (For both front wheels) or just the single set?

Thanks

if the scraping isnt warped rotors or brake discs

the whole assembly is taken off and you do need a press

bearngs used to be approx 100 for each side

you can now buy a solid bearing race or old
style ball bearings in a plastic race

yes i would do a wheel aligment as you undo
the shock and the lower ball joint

Well I just got the car back from the mechanics, was the bearings, and apparently further driving caused damage to the hub, new bearings and 2nd hand hub done by my mechanic for $130