D3 front end 'bearing noise'

[SuperMono]

Have had a bit of noise coming from (seemingly) the front end of my D3 for a fair while. Nothing obvious without pulling everything to bits and not diagnosed by the local LR independent as anything other than 'probably a bearing, will get worse eventually'.
I was thinking wheel bearing probably, but doesn't seem speed sensitive.
Does however change slightly with light steering load.

Anyone had wheel bearings drying out or something similar that might fit the bill?

[~Rich~]

I'd jack up each front wheel and feel for movement in the bearings, I've replaced two in 4yrs. Check them by trying to tilt the top and bottom in and out. You should not be able to feel any movement. They are not serviceable, a new hub assembly is required if they are suspect.

[SuperMono]

Done that, no play.
Had the specialists do the same, same result/judgement (no play).

[Epic pooh]

I had a noise from the front end that went through similar diagnosis as you (no obvious play, noise not significant to untrained ear etc). After a lengthy drive (400km +) at high speed, and at a seriously inconvenient time, the bearing let go - sounded like a 2 stroke motorbike for a while - Disco on a truck for a 300km ride to the nearest qualified folks ... (yay for NRMA Premium Care). I had the other side done when I got home, that bearing was dry and not at all smooth.

One of the other possible culprits is tyre wear (depending on your tyres) - I've had significant tyre noise at an odd pitch from bad alignment and feathering which wasn't obviously tyre noise at times.

After changing wheel bearings it was significantly quieter in the front end and a wheel align with less toe has alleviated feathering and reduced tyre noise.

HtH

[SuperMono]

I've already decided it probably is the front wheel bearings and will order replacement assemblies. Have a few kms coming up so a bit of preventative effort won't go wasted.

Also previously rotated tyres, but as the noise was also present with set of M/Ts fitted (bit harder to notice obviously) that was just a tick the box measure.

[SuperMono]

Hub set fitted and the D3 is now again a very quiet place to be.

Interesting comment by 'Epic pooh' on tyre wear.
I have found this D3 to wear all 4 corners very evenly, it is a coil sprung 'S' with 50mm lift.
I am running close to zero toe and do rotate tyres probably more frequently than most. The lack of toe does probably mean it is a less solid in a straight line, but I'm used to it.

[Epic pooh]

I think my alignment and wear issues are partly as a result of inexperience on the part of the aligner with d3 as much as anything (although the folks who do alignments for the local steeler haven't done any better). Too much toe feathers the tyres but it steers well, too little decreases tyre noise but results in imprecise steering at high speed. Currently close to zero which is good for noise and wear but driving is not so good. Changing shocks today and once done am going to have a deep and meaningful with aligner to try to get to the sweet spot. Part of my issue is that my shocks are well and truly rooted which exaggerates the alignment issues.

[Nomad9]

Hi Supermono,
When you're next underneath check the lower suspension control arm bushes, the inner ones, I had a wheel bearing type noise so I replaced the wheel bearings, this fixed some of the noise but not all of it. I then noticed that the inner suspension bushes on the lower arm were worn, to fix this I installed Polybushes, the softer compound apparently. The vehicles ride and wheel alignment were fixed however there was a definite change to the mechanical feel through the steering, more or a "road" feel. If I was doing this again I would go back to the standard bushes. I have heard and read through this forum that solid bushes can have this effect.
The point of what I'm saying is that these bushes may be worn, if they are putting original bushes back in might be the best plan. The front diff only has 0.9 of a litre of oil in it so it is worth over maintaining it in regard to oil changes, this could be contributing to your noises.

[sinistr]

Supermono - I wonder if the noise you are referring to is what I seem to hear from my front right as well. Comes and goes but its like a 'hunting' noise... not speed related, not engine related, just the same all the way through.

i'll lift it up and have a look at the wheel play.

[Discodicky]

Supermono - I wonder if the noise you are referring to is what I seem to hear from my front right as well. Comes and goes but its like a 'hunting' noise... not speed related, not engine related, just the same all the way through.

i'll lift it up and have a look at the wheel play.

Would appreciate any suggestions re a noise in my son's D3. (176,000 klms)
A noticeable grinding noise like a typical bearing gone thru the case hardening and when doing between 40 to 60 kph but ONLY when lifting foot OFF accelerator. When accelerating, or on the float no noise at all. As soon as foot taken off accelerator the grinding noise appears. Have jacked up car and spun all wheels; no apparent noise or harshness and no end float at all from loose brgs, they appear to be all fine. Changed front diff oil and no noticeable contamination and oil seemed ok considering it had possibly never been changed since 100,000 klms assuming it was done then by previous owner. The car was also exhibiting slight torque convertor shudder on some occasions but has disappeared since adding Dr. Tranny. Could noise be related to the TC? Thanks for any suggestions. Was my wheel brg check sufficient to discount them?