How to identify wheel bearing noise?

[PranK]

So the X5 has recently started making a whirring noise in the front. Volume of the noise is related to road speed, not revs. We just discovered today that it goes away when going up a hill and is back when on the flat or going down a hill.

That makes me think it could be bearings as there would be less weight on the front when climbing. Does that sound sane?

We will take it in for an opinion from my BMW guy on Thursday but in the meantime just trying to work it out.

We did try to load up each front side at 70ish kph by doing a bit of a slalom. I did hear that you can isolate each wheel this way but we heard no difference from each side. 

I'm just hoping its the bearings and not the front diff or something else. Not after what I just spent on the E90!

[GTSBoy]

10 minutes ago, PranK said:

less weight on the front when climbing. Does that sound sane?

Maybe, but the % change is actually pretty small.

[PranK]

7 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

Maybe, but the % change is actually pretty small.

So I'm not a genius? Is that what you're saying?

What else would change in volume based on climbing or descending ?

[GTSBoy]

It's a Euro debt trap, so....just about anything? Cam drive, flux capacitor, money pump, etc.

[PranK]

3 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

It's a Euro debt trap, so....just about anything? Cam drive, flux capacitor, money pump, etc.

Money pump was done recently. So, it must be that.