Jack the front end up, and try to rock the tires/wheels back and forth. If there is much play in the tires/wheels, you probably have a bad bearing, but you don't know if the problem extends to the hub, or is only with the bearing, until you get in there. However, if your bearing is worn so badly that you have also damaged the hub, then you are going to have a tremendous amount of play in the wheels. I bet that this is not the case, and that the only problem is with the bearings.
