RRS front wheel bearing

[Nomad9]

Hi Forumites,
Just wondering how susceptible to failure are front wheel bearings on the RRS. Are they a common filing point? Rare..... mileage......200k klms plus, random.
I have a suspect front O/S wheel bearing, there is a click every now and again on acceleration, not every time, just some times. Doesn't click when turning full lock. Typically in a straight line accelerating from the lights or a standing start, doesn't pull during braking heavy or light. Doesn't clonk, knock or click going over bumps, not more than normal anyway. Sometimes may not click for a few days.
I have noticed that the steering wheel has possibly a slight "buzzing vibration" feeling that seems relative to road speed, I've recently fitted GG A/T's so I suspect this might be that, saying that the buzzing feels mechanical and not how I would expect a tyre to feel. The "feeling" and all indication seems to be coming from the front O/S. Driveshaft splines, is that possible, anyone had the driveshaft nut work lose before, I haven't checked yet, something to check.
Any ideas? 2.7 TD V6, 116k on the clock.

Oh and the wheel nuts are all tightened to the right torque.

[camel_landy]

It sounds like the wheel bearing could be on its way out but from your description, you might also have worn anti-roll bar bushes.

M

[LRTech23]

I've been working at a dealer for 2 years and I've seen one RRS have a wheel bearing failure, and it had 250k on the clock, what you are describing doesn't sound like a typical bearing failure to me. It would typically make more noise, say if its your LH bearing, if you were to go around a right hand corner the noise would be more audible because you are putting more load on it. But hey who knows.

[Mike_S]

I've just recently had both front wheel bearings replaced at ~120k, one failed with the usual "rurr rurr rurr" noise so I elected to replace the pair. Also had a rear bearing go at about 80k, that went catastrophically by collapsing on the motorway so there's no rhyme or reason as to why or when they can fail.

Clicking sounds more like a CV joint to me.

[justinc]

I've just replaced both fronts on a D3, both failed within 20K of each other. Vehicle now has 122K.

JC

[Stuart02]

A melbourne independent assures me they don't need to replace the whole front hub assembly, just the bearings, and that even with the extra labour that works out cheaper? Does anyone have experience going that route? Thanks