I was just driving through town and noticed a grinding noise coming from my front right end. The noise made me think it was some sort of plastic grinding on the wheel but i didn't see anything. I had my computer in the car so i thought i'd just stop and ask! At this point i'm thinking it must be the bearing. What should I look at and what should I look for?!

 

If it were a wheel bearing it would consistantly get louder the faster you go.

 

Good tip. Its louder when i let off the gas, but... of course it would be. What are the other grinding options?

 

Grinding? The wheel bearing or brakes are the only things that could make a grinding noise.
A wheel bearing kinda sounds like your tire is made of concrete.
A brake grind will generally go away when you depress the brake.
Other than that you could have a tire howl.

 

My wheel smelled like brakes and the grinding stopped when i hit the brakes. What would make a wheel want to lock up like that? Car is at the shop, what do you think they will tell me?

 

They'll proably tell you that you need to replace the brake pads and brake rotor, since you let your brakes go to the point that they are grinding.