wheel bearings bad again!!!

4.3L 4x4 156k miles

OK, I replaced my wheel bearings 7k miles ago in mid-June last year. Now while I'm driving down the road and I turn the steering wheel either way and you can hear the loud humming coming from each side of the truck. How could these bearings go bad so quickly? The front end seems sloppy, I think I might need new ball joints. Could bad ball joints make the bearings go bad? I've read the 'how-to' on how to change the ball joints and I see I have to take out the bearings to get to the bottom ball joints so I figured I should replace them again. I got them at Advance Auto, I probably got the cheaper set. I know, I know, you get what you pay for. That was when I was delivering pizzas and barely making it by. I just started a new job today, so I need to know a really good brand of bearings and ball joints to buy. Thank you!!

BCA/National Bearings, and Moog ball joints, both are Federal Mogul, a tier one OEM supplier.

Worn ball joints will not cause the wheel bearings to fail.

Are both bearings bad? Where did you get the bearings you installed? What brand were they? Do they have a warranty?

I bought them from Advance Auto, I believe it was a 1 year warranty, but probably a replacement only warranty instead of getting my money back. I don't remember the brand name, it might have been NTP, the cheaper brand on the Advance Auto website.

If they are bad take them back and ask for a adjustment on the good brand.
But also keep in mind proper installation when putting them in.
The axel nut should be torqued to the right torque specs.
Instructions and torque specs usually come with the bearings.
If they do not give you a adjustment on the good ones post back and I will give you tips on getting warranty.
Good Luck
MT