I think I have a busted wheel bearing or control arm. I sometimes hear a loud, hollow thud, from the drivers side front wheel, when going over bumps at any speed. How can I check mt wheel bearings to see if they're faulty?

It's definately not my struts b/c they're brand new..

 

Cant be the wheel bearing because it would make noise constantly like a ticking noise regardless of speedbumps or anything.

I think your Thuds noise is coming from the spring not being seated right on your struts.

Dixit

 

I switched to Tokico Illuminas from HPs yesterday. The sound existed with my previous setup, and I had the mechanic double-check the install for that reason. Now with the Illuminas, which are stiffer, the sound is worse. It's not my springs popping around.....I had experienced that a while back.

 

A bad wheel bearing makes a constant roaring noise. To check it you need to jack up the side you think is bad and and grab the tire on the side and push in and out. There shouldn't be any play. And also turn it and listen for noise.

Do you have lowering springs? Maybe your bump stops needed to be trimmed. The spring moving will make a spring like "boing" noise.