Okay so I bought a 98 disco 1 le automatic with 116k miles for 4200$. I was expecting some minor stuff being and older vehicle and from my little bit of reading I knew it would most likely need some minor things. Well I drove 350 miles to pick it up and then on the way home with it 3 things happened. First thing I notice the speedometer drops to zero all of the sudden followed by problem two the cruise control also failing.Next about 20 miles later crunchy grinding sound starts from the front passenger side wheel. I've found I think solutions for the first two problems. The wheel noise though is terrible. I did notice a slight wine coming from the front somewhere chalked it up to normal tranny hum/whine. Now it sounds like a severe blown wheel bearing or something grinding and thumping up front passenger wheel.I stopped driving it parked it waited for my boss who knows more then I about awd systems. He thinks its a bearing but I think not. My reason being it only does it when under throttle load. Also I drove a very short distance on the paved road after parking it and the noise is far worse then in my snowy driveway. So please any advice or ideas tips or educated guesses would be greatly appreciated as its 2a.m here and I'm awake looking frantically for an Info and I don't have any rr mechanics in my area. I called the dealership and they are willing to help even though I bought with no warranty as/is. Did I make a bad choice? Thanks for any and all help

 

It sounds to me like you have a wheel bearing issue. You need to stop driving the truck until you get this fixed.

Your speedometer/cruise control problem are more than likely being caused by a failing vehicle speed sensor.

No you didn't make a bad choice. You already know that being an older vehicle it is going to need some work. Go through DiscoMike's 60K service list asap. It will save you a lot of time and trouble down the road. And make sure you download the RAVE manual. It is the same shop manual Rover techs use at the dealerships and is a life saver. Click the link in my signature to download.

 

I cast a second vote for a wheel bearing.

 

3x on the wheel brg, but while you are there...have a look at the cv joint in the swivel ball housing, if all the oil has leaked out and the joint is dry (like mine was when I got it) it's going to make a hell of a racket also. Check the rave manual for a how to on this and nowadays the joint gets grease instead of gear oil (less likely to leak). let us know how it goes

 

Thank you guys. I looked again this morning and I did notice grease all over the outside of the swivel ball housing on the problem wheel. And all the other ones do not have grease smudged all over. So I'll get it put on a flatbed and towed to my freinds shop put it up on the lift and have at it. Thanks very much.