How to tell if a wheel bearing is going bad?
 

When I turn left, the car is making a noise coming from the left rear. Is that wheel bearing making? It sounds like something is rubbing. If it is the wheel bearing, do I have to remove the axle to change it? If so, do you think hat it would be the time to go ahead and upgrade the rear end to 31 spline axles and upgrade the traction lock?

Only a left turn? Could be the trac-loc unit but the outer wheel bearing may very well be going bad. Checked the fluid level in the diff lately?

Fluid level is perfect. I checked that last weekend. I had gears installed less than a year ago.

EDIT: Yes only a left turn for it to make a noise.

if the bearing is bad...it generally would sound bad when driving...a "howling" noise. I don't think it's the bearing if it's a "rubbing" noise. Is it a metal-on-metal sound? Maybe a tire rubbing an inner fender, quad-shock, tailpipe, or some thing? Maybe the muffler rubbing the driveshaft? Those are common causes of sounds...and can often be when turning only.

It is not a howling, and it does sound like a metal on metal noise but only when turning left.

I will check all that this weekend. I am changing the springs on the car and will check all that out. Thanks for the help!

Chassis, Suspension, Tires, and Brakes

Shouldn't this be in ^^ this forum?

Yes that is an axle bearing symptom and yes the axle has to be removed to change it.
Having bearing slide hammer makes the job a whole lot easier too

Another tell tell sign of the bearing going bad is the inside of your wheel will be extremely dirty. If and when it gets to this point it is pretty well gone anyway.