Land Rover Repair: clicking noise, land rover discovery, brake caliper

Question
1997 land rover discovery 1 4.0l gas
there is a clicking noise coming from the left front axle area, may also be right front axle-it can be heard with driver's window open and at most road speeds. sounds like a rock in the tire (it"s not) and is related to the speed of the vehicle. any ideas?
thanks
tom

Answer
Hi Tom,

could be a problem with your brake caliper or pad.  Best way to test is to remove the wheel, rotate this until you hear the sound you describe.

Once or twice my Disco has caught a stone between the stone gaurd and the wheel.  I've had to remove the tire and poke out the stone.

Check to see how the brake pads are seated within the calipers.  If a caliper is seized, maybe the pad is flapping against the rotor.

I doubt it has nothing to do with the bearings within the hub.  If it started to make noise, it would not take long before the bearings would fail completely and a grinding noise would soon follow.  You can always open up the hub, carefully pull out he half-axle (save the paper gasket or buy an replacement). Feel inside for the bearings and see if it is packed in grease.  If you think its the bearings, send me a follow up and I'll tell you how to replace and pack them.

Best of luck,

JohnMc