I have found threads on changing the rear bearing. I have done similar bearing changes on a Honda Accord - so not that big of a deal. BUT.....

What if the noise is coming from the diff bearing on the left side, instead of the hub bearing? Am I screwed? Will I have to ruin a newly installed hub bearing to now also change the diff bearing, if that really is the problem? Or can I separate the half shaft from the hub, with the bearing intact?

The diff bearing seems to be a pain to get to...

What is the best strategy here?

Should I jack it up, take the wheel off, spin up the axles and listen to it with a steth?
Should I take it to a shop to rack it and try the same?

Or should I just gamble and replace just the hub bearing?

Thanks for any advice.

 

Axle comes out of the hub without damaging the bearing.