noise from front axel

[eagle1708]

i have a 98 ext cab 4x4, when at slow speed (around 5 or 10 mph) the front end has a griding noise. its almost like the t-case is engauged when i does this but it only does it about every 2nd or 3rd rotation of the tires. it dosnt make the noise in reverse. i took the hubs off and backed out the driveway and pulled back in and no noise???? i looked at the hubs but nothing seems to be broken or cracked. please help!!!

 

[ricks]

u-joint maybe?

 

[thegoat4]

Does it change when you steer?

Is it louder on one side?

Does dragging the brakes change anything?

Any u-joints feel loose?

Go for a little drive and then feel all of your u-joints. Any of them hot?

If you jack it up and roate the wheels by hand can you hear the noise? Feel any slop in the bearings?

 

[eagle1708]

It sounds like its coming from the right side. No change when i hit the brakes or turn. i already changed u-joints. When i jacked it up i didnt hear or feel any resistance. The bearings are still nice and tight also. I am useally pretty good at troubleshooting these kids of things but this one has me stumped????