Bad Wheel Bearing Symptoms

I have a '99 Windstar that I think may have bad wheel bearings but I am not sure. When driving you can hear a like a pulsating sound that increases in tempo with speed and at higher speeds turns into vibration. At around 40mph or so it almost sounds like the tires slightly hop or have flat spots. When slowing it sounds like dry bearings revolving with the same pulsating tempo.

Whats a fair price to have a shop do the bearings and a dealer do the bearings? I could probably do it myself with borrowed tools but I am tired of working on cars as something is always bound to not go as planned.

I had a guy today tell me about the only thing that can cause vibration is an unbalanced tire. That didn't make much sense to me since there are several pivot points in the steering.

There is also about 1/8" horizontal play when holding the tire at 3 & 6 o'clock with the van jacked up. This is the case on both sides.

A tire will not cause excess play in the bearing....although they certainly can cause the drivability symptom you mention.

A good mechanic (which I am not) can determine if there is play in the bearing.

My alldata subscription only lets me see the 1996 windstar, and the 1999-2003 has a slightly different front end......
The list price for 1 bearing is $68.90 and the standard repair time is 2.1 hours for 1 side and 3.0 hours for both sides.

The standard repair time listed is the same for just the bearing replacement or bearing/hub replacement.

Time does not include wheel alignment. (if needed).

AGAIN.....take note that this is for the 1996 (which should be accurate for 1995-1998....close for 1999 and newer)

Rockauto has the Timken hub/bearing for the 1999 (front) for $69.99
One would expect to pay slightly more for the same part through a shop.
Rockauto lists the part under Brake/Wheel hub and if you click on "more info" you will see a picture of the part.

This is a job that I had done at my local trusted shop....so I cannot give you any technician specific tips.
I am not comfortable messing with the half shafts.......and also rely on the experience of a good mechanic to shake down the front end and determine what is wearing out.
By the time I would notice.......it should have been replaced some time ago.