1984 gl. driving home 200 miles last night. Front wheel bearings
started chirping. Then the grumbling started as if I was on gravel.
Slowed to 30 mph for the last 40 miles. Took the front wheels apart
today and I can't find the thrust washer on the driver's side. The oil
seal is trash too. Lucky. The roads were iced over so 30 mph allowed
me to drive past a few spin outs.  Spindle looks ok so I can't figure
out if the washer key failed or if I need to replace the spindle as
the groove may have led to the failure?? I had a wheel bearing go in a
bay years ago and it was sudden and catastrophic.  When was the last
time you checked your wheel bearings? This is why the insurance
companies hesitate to insure us. Rural Idaho would have put me upside
down in a wheat field without hurting anyone else at midnight. Glad I
wasn't where I would ruin someone's day.