Hey all,

Ok, so here's the deal, I did some minor off-roading back home in upstate NY while home on military leave. Nothing hardcore, just some dirt roads, some mud, low speed driving in 4-low a couple times.

The Problem: while driving, or mainly when slowing down to below 15 mph, or coming to a stop, I hear a nasty, but fairly low toned squealing, or rub/squeal sound. I only have 21k on the truck, checked brakes there fine. Caliper isn't stuck, rotors look good... BUT... while I had front drivers side up on jacks. I thought to myself to grab the 4x4 axle coming from the front differential going to the tire. and I force spun it, and WHAMMO!! there was the sound...

It's as if it's coming from inside the front 4x4 differential, and I'm not sure if its just a seal squeaking, is there' bearings in there, I know nothing about it... is there a way to grease it, or lube it myself.. trying not to let this cost me 500 bucks, but at the same time, don't want it to destroy my 4x4 ability.

Lastly, if it is a rolled bearing inside, or something I can't easily cure, is it safe to drive on it (2WD) and just not put it in 4x4, seeing how it's just free spinning the front differential, or can it still hurt it, sieze up and cause further front drivetrain damage... ANY help would be greatly appreciated?

Oh one last note, it DOES NOT do it on a fresh day of driving, until it has heated up some, which to me, being an aircraft mechanic tells me, metal to metal, or bearing rolled. Again, thanks guys.

Mike