Dealer loaded bed with 1000 lbs last week, drove around, could not find or hear anything. I had them check for metal filings in front diff, transfer case and trans - nothing. Drove the truck for 100 mi on interstate and started to hear something, pulled off and into a parking lot and heard something grinding but as I was turning the truck back and forth, something gave a little pop and then, no more sounds. Drove to farm, back home - nothing. Took it to dealer this AM and had them check for wheel bearing problem - they reported the left front needs replacing and the right has a little play. The left front hub and bearing was replaced Nov last year.
Can something tear up in the manual locking hubs that would cause a loud banging, then grinding without also destroying the wheel bearing? It's $1300 for the wheel hub assy including rotor. Truck was not in 4wd when the noises started.