Only makes noise while in 4x4. Not really a grinding noise. More like a bad bearing almost like a bearing holding the axle up has gone bad and the meshing of gears is bad. I don't know much about the gear set-up in the pumpkin. 4X4 still works, but i don't use it unless i going really slow and really need it. Help me please.

 

Your axles turn all the time so if it was a carrier bearing or pinion bearing it would groan in 4X4 with the CAD system, as would the front driveshaft u-joints.

The axle steering knuckle U-joints turn all the time as does the wheel bearings. Search "Unit bearing".

Transfer case?

 

I had to use 4x4 the other day. The only time it didn't make noise was that sweet spot between putting a load on it and no load on it. Even then it might have but it was much quieter.

 

Is lube clean and clear or milky?

Coulda sucked water in??

 

Just crawled under it. Looks like there is a bearing in the yoke of the front axle that is shot. I can wiggled the driveshaft around quite a bit. Is this hard to replace?

 

If yo are talking u-joints, no, I would recommend replacing them all in the front driveshaft, the others will probably go soon.

You will need a shop press or similar tool to press the old ones out and new ones in with out damaging the needle bearings. That is usually the cause of ruining them. A shop should be able to do them both for under $100 with warranty.

If its the front carrier bearing, which supports the shaft coming out of the back of the differential, I believe you need to pull the yoke to r/r the bearing. Not as simple as a u-joint.

 

Its the one coming out of the back of the differential. I need some info on repairing this one. I've done the u-joints before. Don't wanna mess this up.

 

That is you pinion bearing, and no, it isn't really easy or cheap to fix. With the sounds you described, your gears are probably shot as well.

I do all my own gear work, but you need specific tools and skills to do it right.