My trusty 2007 GS Auto at 100k miles and has never been thrashed from new, although when the "transmission bearing" noise started, I thought I was in for some very expensive repairs. Took it in to my local LR Indy, who thought it was the rear diff bearing going but suggested it was not bad enough yet, BUT, noticed the rear tyres were wearing unevenly, so they suggested 4 wheel alignment, which was carried out and to swop tyres rear to front. They suggested it might feel a little strange until the now front tyres flattened off.
Now, slight vibration was occurring through steering and still "transmission bearing noise" still there but was it my imagination or had the noise transferred to the front? So I thought I would get rid of the vibration by having the front wheels balanced, but then Kwik-Fit had a deal on for new Pirelli Scorpions, so had new Pirellis fitted.

Then drove back home on New Tyres and thought somethings different - bearing noise had gone!

As an engineer, I would have put money on a bearing worn / failing. But there you go. For £220 of new front tyres, saved me a bill of £2,000 for new diff!

Why, I now don't care, but it might be of interest to other Freely 2 owners to have alignment checked and tyres swopped before shelling out for a new diff.

Ive had the same thing on another car, a weird humming noise slowly getting worse and then when new tyres were fitted, gone.
I was told it was how that particular tyre tread wore in a certain way caused by the rear suspension geometry and this caused the noise as they wear down.

That's is exactly right! I can't stress this enough, have your 4 wheel alignment done as soon as you get new tyres and that includes driving your car from the new car lot.
Blocky patterns are renowned for this phenomena on AWD.
Once you hear the noise, it's too late! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Never had this before on my Range Rovers, Discoveries, and 3 Freelander 1's, so I assumed it must be something specific to the Freelander 2 geometry - who knows! Anyway its gone. And I hope that by raising this, it might help some other members.

Top tip, Thanks!

Is more to do with "incorrect" geometry and certainly not model specific!
Have seen many makes/models with issue. MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Happened to me a couple of weeks ago, LR Dealer initially said that it was likely to be a rear wheel bearing so booked it in. I then had a call saying that the wheel bearings were actually OK but that one of the Wrangler tyres was a bit out of shape and at 3mm. Two new tyres later the noise had gone. Pity in a way, if it had been the wheel bearing it would have been done under warranty! 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

This is well known with Wranglers. They get noisy when down to about 4mm. Mentioned frequently on the forum and confirmed from own experience. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.