Disco 1 Scraping and squealing??

I seem to be having a bad couple of days with my disco.
its just started this noise from the front end which I think seems to be when cold?
its defo not transmission or clutch and i dumped the clutch and it still carries on until the car stops. brakes don't seem to affect it.
jacked up both front wheels and there is some play in the bearings but the noise was not evident when wheel turned.
noise gets less as speed increases.
did think it was brake back plates with a stone but don't think so now
I reckon bearings which could be dry and failing.
strange thing is I just drove 5 miles with nothing and then it did it for about a mile and a half and then stopped. Did the same thing this morning.
When it does it it is loud!
any one got anything to add that might help???
CHeers

Have you checked the mud shield for the input shaft on the diff?

These can get stones stuck in em and make a racket as can the one at the transfer box end.

dieseldog69 said:

Have you checked the mud shield for the input shaft on the diff?

These can get stones stuck in em and make a racket as can the one at the transfer box end.

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Not a bad shout! I'd overlooked or forgotten those ones. I'll check tomorrow

Is it a 300Tdi, the belt tensioner can make a right old racket....

currymunster said:

Not a bad shout! I'd overlooked or forgotten those ones. I'll check tomorrow

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Checked them tonight and they both look okay?

Rodeo Joe said:

Is it a 300Tdi, the belt tensioner can make a right old racket....

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Delt with this one before and pretty sure this is not the problem but thanks for thinking of it

What's even stranger is it hasnt happened today??