Greetings, had a wheel bearing go out on me, so I thought I'd share some pics and info. Luckily I was only a mile from home and was able to limp back. 

I jacked up the tire and had easily over an inch of movement on the hub.  So I took everything apart, and found the spindle nut really frozen on, I couldn't budge it with a hammer and punch, and quickly learned that it requires a special size spindle nut socket, which of course no general auto-parts store carries.  I ordered one from my brother-in-law's tool rep, which turned out to be the wrong one, and it's really expensive from Suzuki, and the right one from Kent-Moore was just as expensive.  But if anyone's interested here are the different part numbers:

Suzuki P/N 09951-16050 $130
OTC - 6283 (Rep said it was no longer available but the one below was exactly the same)
Kent-Moore - J-37760 (2.3") (Turned out to be too large, even though the description was accurate) $80
Kent-Moore - J-37763 (1.96") (I'm assuming this was the right one, but was close in price to the Suzuki one)

Eventually I found a guy on ebay who makes tools and he had one for $69, plust $10 for shipping.  I went with this one and it turned out to be a great tool, and was very well made.  If you are interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200362352690&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123

I had to use an impact gun to remove the spindle nut, and when I did, the bearings literally fell out, at least what was left of them.

Been there too! that's why I check them regularly, and especially with bigger tires, they wear out sooner. I carry a spare hub with bearings too. Just in case.

That's a good idea, pressing the bearing while on the trail could be a challenge.

Cool tool !
You have a TracKick? Your post didn't say, neither does your profile.

TraiTough has a 2" Socket for my Samurai Front Spindle Nut for $27, item #SFS-800. 
Hmmm.... I'm goin' to larger tires soon. 
       
I just weighed my stock '93 Samurai round-hole wheel at 18 lbs. and
an American Racing 767-style wheel (AR-7675785, 15x7) at 24 lbs.
(AR says 25 lbs, but my bathroom scale could be off.)

That's anther 6 lbs. per wheel of un-sprung weight, not counting
the larger tires.  Hmmm, .... Something else for me to think about.

I've had a bearing fail at 80km/h and it was not good......I've since mad a spare tire carrier with the whole hub assembly. All the parts are there. I do make sure that everything is good  and greased now and I use some good grease now.....

You have a TracKick? Your post didn't say, neither does your profile.

'96 Trackick - I should have mentioned that!

bearing fail at 80km/h

Wow, that could not have been good, considering I was barely able to limp home going under 5mph.

Just for good measure, I'm going to change the otherside now, if it's as bad as the driver side, it's probably going to go out soon.

Been there too! that's why I check them regularly, and especially with bigger tires, they wear out sooner. I carry a spare hub with bearings too. Just in case.

Yes, that is a good idea.  Now that I'll have a spare hub (replacing one as soon as I get around to it), replacing its bearing rather than just junking it sounds like a helluva plan.  Glad you mentioned it before I did something stupid.

I've since mad a spare tire carrier with the whole hub assembly. All the parts are there.

Hmm.  Innnnnteresting..