This past winter has seemed to be the worst yet for my 06 awd. About December I noticed a low rumble/whirring noise coming from what I thought was the rear of the car. Swerved a couple times and it went away while turning right and came back when turning left. So thinking wheel bearing I had the local garage check for play when I had it in for an exhaust fix. The mechanic said the rear right wheel was going and the rear left seemed like it might soon be going. He quoted me over $700 each for rear bearings plus labor. After picking my jaw off the floor I went on ebay and found a pair of timkens for 350 taxes and shipping in for two. Because I don't have a garage I've had to wait till this pat weekend to atempt the replacement.
I decided to just replace the most likely culprit for the noise, the rear right bearing. Anyone else who owns an awd and has had to do rear bearings has my full sympathy. I used the service manual which I found on here somewhere. 8 hours later, covered in dirt, grease, sweat and some blood I got the bearing replaced. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.
long story short, I went for a test drive after I fastened everything back and what do I hear the first left turn I take but the same rumble/whirrr. My question is should I look at the differential or the front left bearing for the next most likely cause?