My Golf Mk4 2002 has just developed a worrying noise.

it sounds like a soft "graunch" in time with wheel rotation. Almost as if something is rubbing on a fraction of every rotation.

Independent of which gear I'm in. Not much change from coasting to a bit of throttle. Noticeably reduced when cornering to the left. Smoother noise at >55mph, noisy at 45!

There is quite a bit of oil under the car near the inner ends of the driveshafts. There is a tiny bit of play in one driveshaft, and almost zero in the other. Gaters are intact I think. No CV knocking sounds.

The oil may be transmission fluid. Its just a black mess so I can't tell.

I've not jacked it up or done any proper investigation yet. I'd assume a wheel bearing would be constant, but what else would change on cornering? Would the drive shaft push in the diff? I thought that was impossible!

Any pointers or suggestions welcome.