I have developed a rotational drone noise that gets faster as the car speeds up, and is less obvious at speed, in that it is hardly noticeable.

My car has done 128,000 miles mostly motorway work. I took the car to a local Land Rover garage (not main dealer), and they thought it was the handbrake binding on the rear disks, as they were corroded, so £600 later with all new rear disks, pads and handbrake kit, no difference to the drone.

The same garage took a sample of the oil from my front and rear diffs and the transfer box, both diffs were clear but the transfer box had a metalic sheen and dark cloudiness. They changed the oil, but they feel certain it's the transfer box.

I'm reluctant to go to the extra expense of replacing the transfer box without being certain, as I've read that the transfer box is a grating noise that gets louder with speed, rather than my symptom, which sounds more like a failed wheel bearing or hub.

Any guidance or advice greatly appreciated.

Roger

Did they check wheel bearings...? Visitor from fullfatrr.com
* GONE. 2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Now being piloted by RRSTDV8
* GONE: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* Current. 1974 Lightweight 2.25L petrol. Old skool
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The independent thought it was the rear brakes.....but it wasn't, and now they're certain it's the transfer box. How certain were they when they thought it was the brakes? I'm in the shed, I'll be back in the real world in a minute.

Yes, but did they check the wheel bearings? Robin
2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8
Gone:
Jaguar S-Type V8 4.2 Sport
MGZTT 190 2.5

Hi mate I had the same issue exactly what you have said I swapped discs pads and did front hubs wheel bearings
Also swapped rear bearing
Gave up the wheel and same noise was still there
It was in fact transfer box £870 rebuild

Take it to Andy at A1 4x4 Bury .... oh and mention here he might start a discount for RRS members ...Andy? Working with Virgin Trains and band of Brothers/Sisters to do something special for our injured servicemen and women