2 days ago, I experienced hearing an extremely loud, metallic pop that sounded and felt like it came from underneath, the driver's side of my 1996 Honda Accord. Then yesterday when driving slowly through a parking lot, the left front wheel starting obnoxiously, squeaking and making this horrible grinding sound as well! But oddly, it's only loud and scary for me at lower speeds. What the heck can this be? Is my car at all safe to drive (to work and taking son to school) until I can get to a mechanic tomorrow? I CAN tell you that the wheel bearing have needed to be replaced for about a year (only had a whirling noise until now) and my right front CV boot has had a crack in it for about a year and a half (the stirring wheel vibrations has just started to get really bad over the last couple weeks). I know that's bad, but I had to put in off because of financial reasons. I've even had a replacement CV drive shaft in my trunk for about 6 months now, but can't find anyone to install it for me....go figure!! PLEASE HELP ASAP!!

Assuming you weren't applying the brakes, when the sound occurred, the wheel bearing is likely in really bad shape. In fact, it may have started to seize. It does not sound safe to drive. This link may help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-13.html#post2355736

Removing and replacing half-axles is easy to do:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-6.html#post692601

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-6.html#post693587