Please need HELP with 96 cherokee sport

I look a hard left turn yesterday and immeditely started hearing a bad screeching sound(metal on metal contact).It seems to come from the front left tire but icant be sure.THe sound occurs all the time now and when i brake it gets louder.I do not believe that it is my brakes because it is a really loud soundDoes anybody have any idea what this could be?

Probably a wheel bearing, get it fixed as soon as possible.

It only appears to happen some of the time and it did not gradually get louder over time it just abruptly happened.How much would getting a new bearing cost,if you know?

If one has gone bad then you should have both front bearings replaced, that should cost ~$150 maybe more maybe less.

before you go and replace the bearings, first lift the front end up and wiggle the tire front the top and bottom . it may wiggle left and right, but should not wiggle top to bottom. you also can spin the tire and listen for a grinding noise.

if you are getting loud squeal, it might be the metal shim on the back of the breake shoe that has slipped down and is rubbing the rotor. just remove it.