I hope it is your tyres giving you a false indication that the dif bearing is at fault, much cheaper and with something to show for it

I wrote a while back that I thought mine was on the way out with a 'whine' that built up until 30-40mph, for other reasons I bought 18" alloys with new Pirelli's to replace my 17" Wranglers and the noise disappeared completely. I've now covered 10,000 miles on them and it's still quiet.

Not saying it is the tyres but explore all avenues before paying out good money.

Cheers EY - new tyres on, still inconclusive. Off to Farnborough and back tomorrow see if another 250 miles makes any difference.

Watch this space! Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Done about a 1000 miles now since I first heard it and I am still not sure what it could be. There is definitly a noise from the rear but I have to turn the radio and the fans to hear it clearly and even then it gets drowned out by road noise.

So, when people say it gets really loud - how loud? the sort of loud that you will hear above the radio or the sort of loud that someone listening for these noises will hear?

Also, has anyone had any experience with the recon diffs that are starting to pop up for around £400p/x are these any good - can they be trusted (more so than a low line repair by a Landrover tech?) and what come back have you got? I have seen one in Birmingham offer to fit the diff for £150 - total £525 which seams too good to me!

I think I am going to have to take it in (after I have finished playing in the snow) I am still a bit reluctant just in case they say, its the diff - even if it isnt! Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Have you done a wheel bearing check,if not the simple way is to get a clear bit of road and go from left to right,If it gets worse then better as you load and unload the wieght from each wheel chances are its a wheel bearing mate

fingers crossed

Tried it - doesn't seem to make difference

It does seem to come and go though which confuses me. I need to swap my tyres round to just make sure it is not them, but can't be bothered at the moment!!! 1300 miles one since it started and I think it is now gradually getting a bit worse.

Out of interest are there any clues if it were the pinion bearing when looking underneath? How do the garage make a proper diagnosis? Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints