Transfer case or Front End whine/growl.

[Saucy_Walnuts]

That is nasty looking and could be close to normal if it was the first fluid change but if is still rounding off sharp edges this many miles down the road and fluid is original, I would clean it out completely and add new fluid and drive it to see what happens and if does quiet down, then change fluid again at 5k to 10k miles.

Plus, make sure you do the rear diff and the transfer case.

Noise did not change much maybe 20% less. Tcase was serviced as well tonight. Could not do the rear diff waiting on a gasket. Need to pick it up this weekend. As far as I know it's the first service ever on the front diff. Or any of the the drive train besides the engine oil. It's got 177k on it. All Ujoints are original as far as I can tell. They will be next on my list.

 

[OR VietVet]

That noise may go away after more miles with new fluid. Or need to change again. Did you clean/flush it out when drained?

 

[strutaeng]

Yikes. That doesn't look good at all.

Maybe a remanufactured front differential is a wise idea. Just make sure you get the correct gear ratio.

I wonder if you can isolate the noise to confirm (not that the photo with the metal shards isn't enough proof), like driving it without the front driveshaft? IDK...

Please keep us posted on outcome.