More like a pinion bearing if it's high pitched

 

Eh :/ sounds expensive. I didn't get to take it to the shop today and i work all weekend so I can't make it till Monday. I was getting ready to dump a lot of cash in a lift and tires hopefully it won't be spent on repairs instead!

 

I hear ya there dude, let's hope for the best

 

I have a 2000 as well. When I fist changed the belt on it I had it so tight I tought it was going to snap. that was 15000 miles ago. when you say whistle does it sound like a turbo spooling up? if so check your idle pulley. Mine did that and the next thing I knew the pulley locked up. that is why I had to change the belt.

 

It doesn't really sound like a Turbo, but thanks man ill check that out. I'd much rather replace a pulley than a bearing!

 

Update!

Tightened the belt a little, and the squeal is gone.

The whistling seems to be going away? Regardless, I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow and putting it on the frame lift and my uncle and i are gonna try and diagnose it!

 

Sounds good on the belt

 

Hey guys I've got an update. I've done alot of work on the xj here recently, and its running flawlessly. Replaced the leaking valve cover gasket, oil filter housing and seals, and best of all cured the mystery whistle:
Replaced the wheel bearings, and new brake rotors/pads.
The whistle was a combination of a somewhat warped rotor and a whine that turned into a lower pitched growl. My brakes were pretty bad anyway and definitely needed replacing before I throw some 33's on it.
But thanks to all who helped and gave me info I really appreciate it.

 

awesome man!!! glad it wasn't somethin very expensive

 

Me too! All my issues are taken care of now. Time to buy lift and tires!

 

My 2000 is doing the same "whistle" I was convinced it was the wheel bearings also until you confirmed it. However, is it not a hub assembly? Not just simple wheel bearings? I can do wheel bearings myself, but rebuilding a hub assembly is beyond my expertise.

I also will be putting on new rotors, pads, and u joints.

 

It is a hub assembly, however the assembly is not serviceable, it can only be replaced as a whole. Not hard to do.

 

Also good idea to replace the front axle ujoints while you have the hub off just so you don't get a new hub on and then few weeks later gotta do ujoints and pull it apart again

 

That's exactly what I did just a few days ago, new axle u joints, new hub assembly, rotors, pads blah blah blah lol

 

Sounds good!