There is a more or less constant "thrumming" sound (accompanied by a subtle vibration) while driving (begins around 25mph). It sounds as though it's coming from the passenger front corner. Also, the "thrumming" sound gets much worse when the wheel is turned to the left (again, while driving and weighting the passenger side front) and disappears entirely when turning right. I pulled both wheels off the front and checked for play in every direction (including in and out)...there is none whatsoever...it is tight as a...well, fill in the blank . That wheel is barely warm to the touch but, perhaps, a bit warmer than the driver's side (psychological?). It does, however, sound like there is a little bit of a "grainy" sound when rotating the front passenger side wheel/tire. Anyone ever experienced this before? Could it be that the wheel bearing is merely beginning to give out? Thx...

 

One of two possibilities, a bad CV joint will cause a clicking sound when turning or your front drive shaft hasn't been rebuilt yet?

 

Yes this sounds like a wheel bearing going south, if you have a DII it will set off your "3 amigos", if you have a DI then you will get no warnings just the noise will get louder and loouder until the bearing self destructs and costs you real money to fix.
Wheel bearings can be fine one day and seize up the next, so get it taken care of next week.

 

3 Amigos? I'm a newbie...explain?

 

ABS + Traction Control + Hill Descent light on when you have an ABS fault code. It's the bane of DII owner's existence.

BTW do you have a DI or DII? Makes a big difference in cost if you do have a bad bearing. Though my hub wet bad and it did not make any noises just got all loose and wiggly.

 

Oh, OK...I don't have any warning lights/trouble codes at all. I have a 2000 DII and a 2002 DII. The vibration/sound issue is on the 2002.

 

I got a 2002 DII. A new hub is around $400 but is fairly easy to install if you have a 360 lb torque wrench for the axle nut. The hardest part is getting the axle nut and the old hub off.

 

360 lbs???????????? That's insane. I can use my 4' pipe and 1/2" ratchet to remove it, but still. How long should the job take once the axle nut is off? I've done MANY wheel bearings, but never on a LR.

 

I used a 3/4" drive torque wrench, a 1/2" drive may do the job though. I could only afford a 300 lb torque wrench from harbor freight so that is what I used. That nut is really on there, it's staked too. The job takes around 4 hours, you need a 3 legged puller also or figure something else out to get the hub off the axle. It's pressed on their good. Here is a how to:

http://www.discovery2.co.uk/fronthub.html

 

Found a "guaranteed used" hub assembly from a salvage yard for $60.00! As I am not planning on keeping this vehicle (keeping my '00 instead), I didn't want to shell out $400.00 + for new OEM/new aftermarket. Now...I just have to locate a 360 lb ft capable torque wrench...