I've had a noise coming from the front end that just increased in volume, trying to figure out what it could be. It sounds like something metal is rubbing (somewhere between a rubbing and a grinding) every wheel revolution, but nothing obvious is dragging. It's not constant, it pulses with every revolution. I just replaced the front brakes (pads and rotors) and CV axles before the noise got worse, but the noise has been there for the past 10k miles at least. When I first noticed it I only heard it at slow speeds when I was turning into my driveway. Now I can hear it until the road noise drowns it out. My best guess at this point is a bad wheel bearing, but there isn't any noticeable play. Ideas?

 

Sounds like a wheel bearing from your description.