[dorfboy]

The best was to check this is with the tires on and the front end off the ground. Place your hand on the top and bottom of the tire and pull out and push in opposite of each other. If the rims move or give then the bearings are bad. And yes they can get that bad. This is a very easy fix though. Just take of the wheel, caliper and bracket, axle nut and then the three bolts that hold the hub on. Should take about 30 mins for one side. I would do that seeing as it is cheaper than a trans. Though if it is an O7 and less than 100k miles on it, the power train is under warranty.