Noise / Vibration proportional to speed

Hi guys, I'm worried about a possible issue with my Prius.

I bought it last year. This summer I noticed a noise proportional to speed when running below 40 mph where there is not much wind noise. I assumed it was due to my tires, but it was not a tire noise, more like a bearing noise.

When I switched to my winter tires, I was still able to hear the same noise. Now I can hear it better, it could be worse than before. It's making more noise than the engine! Yesterday I lifted the front wheels and tested the rotation in EV mode. I couldn't increase the speed to more than 10 mph due to the traction control system. I tested each wheel independently and both. I could hear some noise but I'm not sure if this noise was normal. It was the same noise with 1 or 2 wheels.

Did anybody here ever had their Prius lifted and heard the noise coming from the rotation of the wheels in EV mode?

 

188000 km / 117000 miles.

I first thought it would be a wheel bearing, but it's the same noise for both of them. While that is totally possible it would still be a coincidence.

 

No I'm not sure that the noise is coming from the wheels. I'm not even sure that the noise I heard with the raised wheels was the same of what I can hear while driving or it's just a normal rotation sound.

Is the transaxle used in EV mode?

 

I thought of doing it but didn't, I'll try that next time. For the rear wheels it seemed ok but it was not easy to turn because the brake pads were rubbing.

 

Checked with my father this last week-end. He is a mechanic. He is almost sure that the front left wheel bearing is due and possibly the right too.

I ordered an SKF bearing for 300$ shipped, I hope the quality will be sufficient for my low mileage (10000 km / year).

 

I received the bearing, it says made in Japan, good thing

 

I ordered a 12pt 32mm box and it's too big, I guess it was 30mm after all as seen here:

 

First bearing was replaced (front left). Had less noise but was still present.

Replaced the other bearing (front right), noise is gone.

Problem resolved!
Cost: 650$. Done with my father. Was easy but the bearing was stuck in the aluminum frame.