2000 Nissan Altima Brakes or Bearings Problem?

I have a 2000 Nissan Altima (65,000m) and have started to hear a high pitched screech in the front wheel. Usually you can hear it each rotation but sometimes it disappears altogether.

I was first told it could be the brakes but had them checked and told they were fine (and unfortunately the noise went away when the mechanic drove the car). It was also suggested it could be the bearings and wanted to know if this sounds correct? And if it is the bearings is it a cheap fix since the wheel still runs fine? and are bearings much more expensive to repair once they completely fail?

Any advice would be much appreciated as I'd like to know what to expect before I take it in again. The high pitch noise is very likely your brake pad. The pad has a metal "sensor" that screeches when the pad gets low. It's a piece of metal that scrapes on the rotor and makes an awful noise. Recommended replacement of brakes is every 60k miles, but I have driven 190k with my car and just now had to replace the front brakes. The rear brakes on my car are still stock.

Usually the front brakes go out first because you travel forward in your vehicle and when you slow down, the weight of the car goes onto the front tires. That metal "sensor" I was talking about can be bent up a little to stop the noise. Its possible the sensor could have been bent down by a rock or some other foreign object... Before you bend that sensor up, be sure your brake pads are still in good shape. When your brake pads go completely out, whats left of the brake pad will scrape gouges into your brake rotor. If this happens for too long, the rotor may need replaced. No big deal though.. my rotors on my car are $27 each while turning them cost $25... hmm....

About the bearings... They are NOT a cheap fix. The front bearings on a front wheel drive car are usually (maybe always) a part of the wheel hub and the whole thing needs replaced. This has to be done at a shop. You should expect to pay around $200 for front bearings and about $75 for rear bearings (each). I've been told that if the wheel bearings go completely, the wheel may fall off. I don't know if it's true, you may want to check into that. The bearings will make a rubbing noise especially around turns. The brake sensor sometimes will stop squealing while the brakes are depressed. I hope its just your brakes

Unless you drive like you're in NASCAR, your car is too new to need brakes or bearings.