New to me 2011 4.4 tdv8, noticed on the test drive something sounded ‘dry’ it had been stood for a couple of weeks so assumed it was maybe the brakes, it wasn’t of concern.
Two weeks in and noise is still there, it’s not changed, did wonder if it was the HVAC and just air moving about but it’s still there with it all turned off, the noise only comes when you start moving and sounds like it’s coming from the centre / rear area, it doesn’t change with speed or revs, doesn’t matter if its in drive or neutral, once you’re get going it’s drowned out by road noise, I’ve had a Quick Look round the wheels and rear prop etc but there’s nothing obvious, I’m doing transfer box and diff oils over the weekend, anything anyone can think of to look at while I’m under there?? Previous owner looked after it, regular services, all fluids/oils-changed, recent wheel refurb, the only fault on the iid is for an egr exhaust temp sensor
I’ve tried to get a video of it but it’s such a quite noise it’s hard to hear 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

The gearbox heatsheild can resonate and make strange noises - get underneath and tap it and listen. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Had a look round checked the gearbox heat shield but nothing found, wondering if it’s a wheel bearing? Anyone ever replaced them are they straight forward? The bearings are approx £40 each vs complete assembly at 200-300 each, I’m under it again at the end of the week doing the gear box oil and filter, I’ll be using pit so may get a better view at things 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

Still trying to find this, hopefully there’s a link to a video below where you can hear the noise, video starts while I’m stationary move off the noise starts, then I stop and move off again the noise is then drowned out.
As a note as part of my maintenance plan I’ve serviced it, changed diff oils, gearbox oil and filter, all pads and discs, I have adjusted the handbrake as it was catching a little when off

https://youtube.com/shorts/N2jpjVZS_kU?si=83r65P1DjyTH5Pki 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

I could hear the noise quite clearly - as you say its not engine or road speed dependant.

You mentioned that the noise is present when in drive or neutral so I assume you mean that once moving and at a constant speed to flip into neutral and the noise is still present?

I seem to recall some years ago on a different vehicle a rear wheel bearing that would start to drone at 40mph and the pitch of the noise was constant as the speed varied +- a few mph. Over 45 it would go quiet so it might be prudent to check the wheel bearings for play or binding?

Loading up the rear wheel bearings with sharp cornering to see if the volume changes is worth trying.

My van had a rear diff rebuild and on cold days as i build speed a high pitch whine immediately occurs as the speed approaches 30mph and by 33mph its gone - again it doesn't change in pitch while making the noise so I'm assuming like the wheel bearing its a resonant noise resulting from a source of vibration. The vibration frequency changes but the noise doesn't - weird Current: 2003 TD6 HSE. 161,000 miles
Previous 1993 Classic 3.9

Hi Steve

Thats correct if i flick to N once going the noise stays, i done the basic wheel movement bearing play check when i done the brake discs and all seemed well in my limited experience

i did wonder about the rear prop bearing, again it looks fine, the one on my D4 split the rubber and didint make a sound,

i guess whatever it is will eventually fail / show itself 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

sounds like wind noise to me. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Would you say yours sounds similar? 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

Not exactly but it doesn't sound sinister either. Can you hear it with the windows down? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

It’s no worse with the window down, I assume the extra road noise drowns it out 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

I can only suggest you take it to a specialist for them to hear. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I had a high pitch wining noice from the A/C fan on my L320. It appeared when it was a little colder and obviously went away once the fan was turned off. Now on my L322 I have a similar sound, but quieter and not related to the HVAC. I suspect it's from the navigation hard drive, which I believe is of winchester type.

I have same 2012 Tdv8, mine on 220k, when I got it, it had what I thought was a front left whine.. I assumed it was front wheel bearing, or drive shaft. It was neither.. it turned out to be the front prop shaft…the sliding knuckle at front end had noticeable slack when twisted, with a metallic ‘slap’. Fairly simple to swap out. I wonder if you found a cheap secondhand one on eBay, and tried it to see if different. It was a thought I considered, but I found a new one, (GKN brand) on eBay (400 quid) and bought and fitted that. Totally silent after.

My gut feeling is the rear prop shaft bearing, as it’s loudest in the rear, I did consider a second hand one but it would be just as much a gamble

The bearings are sold separate so considered attempting that but common consensus is to replace the whole unit

Does anyone know if I removed the rear prop to rule it out, would I upset anything? It would only require a 100yd drive at 10mph 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

just been through my orders, and it was the rear prop. lr030049. I had it in my head it was the front prop, because I was thinking I needed to change out the front diff! I paid about 400 quid for the GKN one. easy to fit. just remember safety under a car etc.