Auto repair adventure...

Originally Posted by shark

It makes a kind of loud, roaring sound from the left wheel area at freeway speeds. No looseness though when I jack the front end up and check, though.

That doesn't sound good. It could just be something rubbing. Bearings and CV joints in the front usually change sound under different steering at constant speed. Brakes grind and squeal. Anything on the engine changes with revs. Transmission sounds follow the changes of gear and load. Rear wheel bearing sounds are less steering dependent. You should be able to tell by jacking up the wheel and turning it.