Hi there, this comment is a little late but you should just jack up your front end and grab the top of the front tires and push and pull them a bit to see if the wheel bearings are solid or worn. I just put new tires on my 98 xc because I had a front end hum. Run your hand over the tread and see if there are any high spots. My car feels like new with new dunlop sp sport a2's. I also feared a wheel bearing job! Take care. ~Gerald