possibly front driveshaft? 4x4 noise

[parkesj]

When i have my 4x4 locked in i hear this grinding type noise and can feel it on my feet on the floorboard. (It only happens when i have the pedal barely pressed down or i am coming off the gas or first stepping on it.) I have pretty new warn hubs, axle seals, ball joints. It seems like it could be the driveshaft cause it sounds like its something thats moving. any ideas?

[NoRalPh]

Best way to know is to pull it....

You can then inspect everything by feeling the U-Joints and look at the Cardan Joint and that ball & spring between. It can cause funny noises and the only way to really look at it is when you have it in your hand.

[parkesj]

Is there anything you would think it could be? i dont want to just take everything off blind and start looking at stuff. i would rather have some direction.

[NoRalPh]

Sure, it could be the driveshaft U-Joints and/or Cardan Joint "ball & spring"....

You don't think it's in the hubs or ft U-Joints, take the ft driveshaft down and check it out. If all that seems good then, you'll have to look elsewhere (it's not a big job...)

The next logical places to look are going to be much more difficult, like the TC & ft Diff, so let's get this out of the way.

[parkesj]

Where is the cardan joint and spring? it could be the hub, but it only happens when im locked in up front. i can only hear it on the left'ish side, right under my feet i feel it so thats what makes me think its the drive shaft. How can u tell if u joints are bad? also the cardan joint?

[NoRalPh]

The mix of the paired U-Joints in the driveshaft are what Ford calls the Cardan Joint. Inside there is a small spring pressing on a cup & ball thing that, I guess, preloads it in some way.

If that ball/socket/spring gets corroded and worn it can make a racket.

[parkesj]

thanks man i guess we will see what happens. i just drove 4k miles to alaska. did a whole bunch of maintenance before i left so im not looking forward to this. thanks for all the help tho.