Front end noise/vibration disco 2 TD5

Hi all, I have a 2001 Disco two,Td5 with 66000 mile on the clock, its been 100% reliable over the four –five years I’ve had her. But just recently I‘ve noticed a noise/vibration when driving. The noise is more so when travelling around 10-15 mph, I think I can feel the vibration through the accelerator pedal.Turning the steering left or right does not cause the noise. The noise is not a squeal or knocks more of a rumble. The noise/vibration appears to be from the front, but can’t say from what side.
Just two weeks ago the Disco Passed an MOT, before hand I had car serviced, copper brake pipes replaced, new rear disks and pads fitted .I also had the gearbox breathers cleaned as there was what appeared to be oil leaking over the front cross member. It now seems that the oil was infect diesel from the fuel pressure regulator. (This will be fitted in the next week or two).
I’m not convinced that the noise is a wheel bearing as on other cars the kids have had they had a different symptoms to this when wheel bearing were required.
No fault was raised by the MOT tester whom I know is strict, indeed the mechanic who looks after the car for me knows what a fanny I am with my Disco, so he tells me anything that needs doing and I tell him of anything that’s worrying me with the car. I’ve had Land Rovers for 13-14 years and never experienced this type of fault before .Any suggestions as the wife thinks I’m fantasising about this fault. I’d like to say to the mechanic it’s this or that as at the moment I can’t say any thing other that what I’ve described above.
I’m slowly being driven round the bend by this; I know they all make noises like the brake pedal creaking when you press it, the centre consol plastic squeaks as it rubs against the bottom half of the facia.
Please HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:doh::violent::mil78::mil78:

Check the front propshaft UJs. Urgently. Failing that it could be the torque converter on an auto or the flywheel on a manual. Or suspension bushes. Odd that it occurs at such a low speed though. Are your wheelnuts tight?

check the tyres, they "step" just like freelander rear tyres and cause all sors of rumbling noises. If they are stepped, swap the wheels side to side. The noise wont go instantly but as the tyres wear in the other direction the noise will slowly disappear.

Even the slightest stepping or uneven wear will cause a rumbling noise.

If I am right in thinking, this model has a double cardon front propshaft. the U/J's in these can wear, it sounds like you've done well out of yours as I have heard they often do not last long.......

Thanks for the replies so far !

I've been under the front end this evening and found the following:
Front prop shaft will twist about 3/4"left/right,but no movement back and forth and no movement at all on the rear prop shaft.

The front tack rod ends both move if twisted about 1/4".

Would all the above be normal ?
or could the bushes be the problem ?

The wheel nuts are secure,and there appears to be nothing loose.
Ran the car with the transfer box in neutral and selected all the gears ,no whine or any other noise all gears are selectable with ease.
The steering pump was replace around a year ago,I have like many others a slight drip from the steering box.

Cheers Nigel

Nigel Soulsby said:

Thanks for the replies so far !

I've been under the front end this evening and found the following:
Front prop shaft will twist about 3/4"left/right,but no movement back and forth and no movement at all on the rear prop shaft.

The front tack rod ends both move if twisted about 1/4".

Would all the above be normal ?
or could the bushes be the problem ?

Click to expand...

You are basically looking for free play in anything. The track rod ends can move, but there must be no play. Put a lever in the UJ spider and see if there is any sideways movement - if there is that's the problem. You will only see play in the bushes if you lever against them. If you can't see anything you could ask a local MoT man to have a look - it's their job to spot play in this area. (Edit - sorry, you've done that!)
As I said before though, I've not come across the problem at the speed you mention, so I'm shooting in the dark a bit.
I wonder if it could be an engine mounting gone a bit soft.

Hi all,
I think I might have a confession to make.I was speaking to one of my work mates about the problems I was having with my Discovery ,I mentioned what I'd had done for the MOT Etc.He asked had anything else be done or changed as it seemed strange to him that I had no problem before service/MOT.I mentioned in passing that I'd stuck a set of new front pads in the day before the test (late on in the evening).His response was did I check for lipping on the disc,I confessed I hadn't.

So armed with a flapper disk attached to the electric hand grinder I have removed the lip on both front discs(Both side of each disc).Took the old girl out for a spin and I must say she's a lot better.First thing Monday I'm off to buy a new set of ventilated discs.

Thanks for all your replies,I'd checked just about every thing and was starting to get night sweats thinking of the likely cost implications of any fault.I had nightmares of gearbox,wheel bearings etc needing replacing.