Best way to listen for a noise is to drive close to a solid wall at night so the noise bounces off the wall back to you, you will be amazed at the difference.

Jasper,

I am sorry, English is my second language, and perhaps was not very clear on my comments...

I noticed that you mentioned 'jerked the wheel' and what I meant about loading the bearing is by turning the wheel hard to one side but for a few seconds (not just momentary), similar to carving a wide turn with giant slalom skis.. this is when you can increase (and hear) the humming noise from a bearing
.

I did that, but unfortunately under about 25mph it doesn’t make the noise. Hard to find a long enough wall with no one around to get up to speed for a few seconds to listen.

Yes, I used to fly a Warrior II. N6909T was the tail number of the plane I learned to fly in. It has been a few years, I need to get up again!

willw and BYprovider gave excellent tips. Is there a highway you can drive on that has a concrete barrier? It doesn't have to be a building. A 3 foot tall concrete barrier is plenty tall enough to bounce the sound of a bearing. Keep your windows down.
And check with your local PCA for an indy near you.

$1500 to replace a wheel bearing is nuts! The most expensive wheel bearing on Rock Auto is $68. I couldn't find one in our sponsor's site.

Thank you, I’ll try that and see what happens. And yes, $1,500 is crazy. Less the parts, they’re saying almost 8hrs labor to change 2 wheel bearings.

Very nice, I really miss it. My 76 was N9644K and had a really nice leather interior/new plastics. I work with 747’s in the desert so at least I’m still around aviation.

Definitely contact your local PCA chapter. You will get some good referrals

Jasper
If you suspect a wheel bearing and you don't have the means to change it out yourself.
Take the car to "ANY Reputable" shop that does suspension work.
Have them test the car for bad wheel bearings.
There is nothing secret or complex or Porsche specific about wheel bearing issues or fixes. No need to take it to a "Porsche" dealer or Porsche garage.
Wheel bearings can be changed out by a school boy with minimal knowledge.
$1500.00 to change a couple of wheel bearings out is theft.

Will do, thank you

Ya, I should just try it myself and get a bearing press kit and whatever else is needed. It is my 2nd car so not a big deal if it can be driven for a bit. I changed control arm bushings by myself on my old BMW many years ago so maybe I just need to try it.

The Bentley Porsche service manual describes the procedure (with pictures).
IT is pricey around $95.00 but for general service and maint. it is about all that is available. It describes the process and tools well enough that even a novice should be able to do the task.

I suggest that as a first step you purchase the Bentley service manual.
Then you have a means of reference for not only wheel bearing replacement but many other service maint. procedures.
Then after reading,up on an issue (such as wheel bearing replacement) you will have a better idea of if you are capable of doing the job or if you need to hire it out.

The other thing is to be sure it is a wheel bearing you are hearing and not something else. Sucks to spend money and do work and replace parts to find out you didn't fix the problem.;)

Thank you, I watched a few YouTube videos of 986 wheel bearing changes. But yes, the service manual would’ve great.

Keep us posted on what you find and do with the "Noise issue" I think most of us on the forum like to hear end results.;)

Yes for sure.
Will probably get to spend some time on it next weekend.

Before tearing anything apart, do a sanity check on your tires even though it is not likely one or more would be bad.

Put on some latex gloves and run your hands over the tread on each tire around the whole circumference to feel for any unevenness, small bump, etc.

I replaced front bearings on my S4 last winter and it turned out in the end to be a tire issue.

I replaced the Boxster bearings two years ago and you do not need to remove the strut/hub assemblies to do so. Youtube has a bunch of vids on wheel bearings and anything BMW related is also similar enough to be instructive.

Bearing manufacturers put minimal grease in bearings so I disassembled mine and repacked them with Redline CV.

Thank you, I will do that although I think the tires are fine, but would be nice if it happened to be a tire.
And I did watch some videos and also one saying to take the bearings apart and add grease.
Hopefully I’ll have time to work on it in the next week or two.
Thanks again