Noise right front wheel area, 4x4 170k miles,

Thanks very much. The mechanic "took it apart" and said the bearing was okay. Is the CV joint something he might not have seen? Would it be something only a Montero (or a 4x4) specialist might notice or think to check? Also, it's not tread wear. Its a clunky/shimmy noise/feel when the brakes are applied, or when the Montero slows down. And it just started last week. Again, I really appreciate your help on this.

The half-shaft goes right through the center of the hub in the wheel. Follow this back and you will see two rubber boots. These cover the joints and the mechanic would not notice this without a test drive. Visual inspection doesn't work since these "boots" cover the CV joints and keep the grease inside. Your description sounds like this could be your problem. Only other possibility, without looking myself, is the sway bar end link may have gone bad.....but the mechanic could have noticed that upon teardown.