grinding noise

i have an annoying grinding noise coming from the front(i think)of my 2001 td4 auto..i can almost feel it through the steering wheel..when going straight ahead or on right handers its there...as soon as i put any left hand on,even just a touch the noise goes away.
ive put new pads on today as they were low(sliders seized)..but its still there..im thinking wheel bearing(although there is no play).
any ideas???

Did you check the wheel bearings for play while you were doing the pads?

Normal grinding noise comes from the wife when I say I am spending money on the freelander again!

But if the noise changes with steering often wheel bearings are the culprits.