What IS this noise ?

I have a mystery noise in my Defender that's been going on for way too long ! It sounds as if it's coming from the front left side . It's intermittent , sometimes it starts after a mile or so and is more noticeable in second and third gear . It doesn't last long and disappears as speed builds up . I can drive five miles or one hundred miles before it shows again . It's a kind of a cross between a chirrup and a squeak . Depressing the clutch pedal stops it , it may or may not continue when the pedal comes up again . Sometimes I hear a 'CLINK !' as I pull away , but not often . Today I noticed a slight side to side shimmy as I rolled along at walking speed and a slight clank clank clank noise . Suspension and steering feel fine , no odd behaviour going over potholes or going round bends . . I changed the hub bearings but that made no difference . The ones that came out looked fine anyway . The hub and stub axle aren't scored . I put a crowbar under the wheel and there is no up and down movement . Swivel joint was filled with one shot grease following a swivel seal change a couple of thousand miles ago . All track rod ends are good . I'd really appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction here ..

Universal joint on the drive shaft. Check for wear in the UJ's and its splines.

tottot said:

Universal joint on the drive shaft. Check for wear in the UJ's and its splines.

Click to expand...

Actually checked those , no play whatsoever .