It certainly sounds like the wheel bearing, normally the bearing will grumble more when the weight is on it, i.e. if its the o/s bearing, when you are cornereing to the left, the only other possibility I can think of is the centre bearing on the o/s drive shaft, Worn CV joints make a clicking rather than rumbling noise.

If the noise varies acording to load, depending on which way you are turning, it must be to do with the wheels rather than the diff, the load doesn't change on that. Diff noise is usually a varying pitch whine dependent on the power load and sometimes going or coming on drive or overun.

If it drives OK I woudn't worry about it.

Just to update and help others, I replaced the o/s driveshaft with a new one. Took the car for a spin and I've still got the noise. Looks like the diff bearings then, this has now got expensive. Why didn't I check the oil level earlier, ho hum.

Just to give a full update on this problem, It ended up being the gearbox differential bearing or crownwheel. I had discovered there was less than a cup full of oil left in the gearbox.

I topped up the gearbox and it's done at least another 1000 miles of short journeys.

I purchased a secondhand gearbox off Ebay (I know...) and have just fitted it.

All was going well until I noticed when putting the nearside driveshaft back in complete with new oilseal that it didn't seem to go in as far as in the old gearbox.

I had made sure I pushed it fully in until I heard the ding as it met the stop. Looking at the driveshaft oilseal there is still about 5mm of shiny shaft showing.

I got the car fixed up and took for a test drive and as sure as eggs when I inspected the oilseal it was leaking as in a drip every 20 secs or so.

I must explain a bit about the car here, The car was a normally aspirated 1.9D and the previous owner stuck a turbo 1.9d engine in it because the original engine went for a swim on a well flooded road. So it still had a non-turbo gearbox.

I purchased the new gearbox and thought it best to get a turbo gearbox. It was advertised as a ZX1.9TD gearbox from a parts supplier on ebay.

Well as I said I took it for the test drive and it drives ok and I have noticed it is longer legged going up the gears which was as expected.

I've removed the driveshaft again and measured it up with the old gearbox and there is a noticeable difference in regards to where the shaft seal shoulder stops.

I surmise that the oilseal lip is just bearing on the shamfer on the edge of the seal shoulder on the shaft.

Anyway to cut a short story long, The only problem I've got is the seal leaks so I fashioned up a 2mm spacer ring on the lathe to go behind the oilseal. I'm hoping this will allow the seal to do it's job, I shall see in the morning.

Dont you just love cars..