front wheel-grinding like noise?

[tst31]

Ok, here's the deal. I've owned my 99 4WD Durango for a little over a year now, but this last weekend was the first time I actually spent more than ten minutes in 4WD, as I took a little ski trip to Tahoe. I probably drove for about 20 miles, in the "part time 4WD", and noticed, early the next day, that while making left had turns, there appeared to be a slight grinding noise, that seemed to come from the right front wheel area. It doesn't make any noise while going straight, only when turning, usually left. In fact, this morning, did it make a similar sound while turning right? Any idea what can be causing this? Sounds kinda like the 4WD maybe hasn't completely dis-engauged, but wouldn't it also make that noise going straight, as well? I have gone to 4WD and back off a couple of times, but sound is still there. I took off the wheel, inspected the hub area, checked for any abnormal play or wear near the front wheel shaft, but nothing obvious. Is there something else I can look to, before I take it to the repair shop? Thanks in advance!

[Kensai]

I know that while in "LOCKED" 4WD mode, when you make turns, sometimes it does make a unpleasant sound that is because the front wheels are locked to the front axle and when you make turns, both tires are trying to turn at the same rotational speed. Thus this is where you sometimes hear some noise in the front end when you are making either turns. My 2000 Durango R/T has a full time 4WD. I do not hear any noises from the front end when making turns. But when I lock my Durango into 4WD high, then I feel some resistance when making turns and sometimes hear noises on the front end. I assume this is normal as my Toyota 4WD truck does the same exact thing when in locked 4WD mode.

[tst31]

I have a little more R&D, now, a couple of days later. Seems the problem tends to come and go. Usually it is most prevalent during left hand turns, both forward and reverse. Noise definately from right front wheel area, but will instantly go away when wheels are straightened. Just seems to me like the axle/whatever connects to the hub area may not be fully disengauged or something, and is just grinding a bit in there. I'm new to 4WD vehicles, and considering a change to the front shocks soon anyway. Does that thing come out fairly easily like a regular half shaft on a front wheel drive car, so at least I can inspect what might be going in there? Or, are there special tools/presses/crap like that required, which of course I don't have in my garage.

[heR/Truck]

I have a 2001 durango R/T which is also full time. The guy who washes it accidently hit my 4 wheel drive knob and locked it in 4 high. When I got in it later that day I didnt notice it and everytime I turned left the front tires would drag and there was a bad noise. I got a friend of mine to get it out of 4 wheel drive. It took a few tries and he had to pretty much drive as fast as he could backwards to get it out. I havent had any problems with the dragging since then. Not that I wish bad car problems for anyone, but im glad to know it isnt just mine.