My 2004 XC90 T6 has a loud rhythmic vibration sound in the front, that is always there, but the rhythmic thump is louder when turning just slightly left or right.
There is no noticeable play with the wheels when we tried to wiggle them at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, as well as the 3 and 9 positions, while the car was on a lift, but we did run the car while it was up and listened for the noise with a stethoscope.
My mechanic was iffy on whether it was the bearings and wondered if it could be the Angle Gear, or as he identified it, the transmission box.

Any ideas?
If it is the Angle Gear, are the 2.5 and 2.9 models using the same angle gear? It seems that 2003-2007 models were consistent.

It's got new tires so that's not the issue.

 

My gut sense would be wheel bearing first, axle second. what happens when you drive in wet or snow/ice (ie to force the car to engage the rear wheel drive)?

 

I don't think the 2.5 and 2.9 models could use the same angle gear. It's two very different transmissions.