Davidspect said:

Read a thread recently about someones inner wheel arch cover being detached after driving through water and rubbing the wheel. Cant see it making a metalic noise but worth a look.

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I agree! This is all very interesting stuff about VCU's and bearings, however with the noise coming from the the front on the passenger side, why has no-one mentioned the wheel bearings especially with noise disappearing when turning corners?

Davidspect said:

Read a thread recently about someones inner wheel arch cover being detached after driving through water and rubbing the wheel. Cant see it making a metalic noise but worth a look.

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think this was the cover rubbing on the air con pulley, quite common, worth a check in the drivers wheel arch

Have thought about the wheel bearings Skynet. My understanding is that they make more noise when corning, but its not something I have experience of! I have had her jacked up, but there was no play in the wheel, and no knocking or play when driving but the droning sound is similar to what I would expect from a worn, dry bearing.

Update on the rumbling. Prop came off yesterday and car is silent again. Rear of the two support bearings is shot. Planning to replace both, and I know to steer clear or britpart. Budget is limited and the gkns appear to be 40 to 50 a piece. Have seen some cheaper bearmach bearings, but not familiar with the company. Would they offer a cheaper but reliable alternative to the gkns?

Thanks too all who have taken time to reply!

go gkn they are the best

Ahunt 47,

Did you take the prop off yourself?

I have a similar hoise and think this may be my problem too.. Id like to try to do the prop myself, but have linited tools, and only the original land rover jack..

If a garage did it for you how much did they charge?

Andrew

I had my two changed last week, was going to do it myself, but local independant, sold me the bearings at cost price and did the job for £50 (2 hrs labour)

Hi Andrew - I didn't do it myself, but my mate did outside my house with a trolly jack and 2 axle stands. Didn't seem too complicated to do, but then I wasn't the one on my back under the truck! Took about 15 minutes. The only issue was spinning the prop to get access to some of the nuts, as we only had two wheels off the ground at a time, plus the prop weighs a bit! My mate has said the main issue maybe getting the bearings off the spline, and replacing it...... There is a very good write up on here by Hippo, one of the first that come up when you search for VCU bearings.

As for cost, I've bought a single GKN bearing today for £48 as I chickened out of the cheaper options and couldn't afford (justify to wife) two. My mate hasn't quoted yet for labour.

What sort of noise you getting? Mine was a soft grinding rumbling sound that changed with speed and not engine. Sounded more front passenger side to me, so was surprised to find it was a the rear of the two bearings. Was relieved when it came off and sound was gone, it was clear from the bearing it was knackered - my worry was the more ££££ parts....