Out of apparently nowhere I put the Durango in 4 Lock (has electric-**** 2hi/4 lock) and it made this noise like I was dragging soemthing. Went away when back to 2wd. First thought might be front left axle so got a replacement and while I was at it I replaced the ball joints and wheeel bearing hub.
Coul not get old axle off. I have read some stories about a snap ring and I have read that it should just slide off the splines. I didn't see a snap ring.
So would like to get good desription from the very knowagable people here about replacing the axle. Is there a snap ring? Do I have to open the differential and unlatch something? Did I just not try hard enough to pry the old axle off the shaft and give up too soon?
Anyway, after I put it back together I tried to drive it in 4WD and it started to make a noise, and then it went away! Go figure. Drove a couiple miles, seemed OK. Back to 2wd and ran it that way for couple days. Decided to try 4WD today and noise is back, mostly when turning. Still sounds like dragging an exhaust pipe. I will continue to look for source.
I would really appreciate any suggestions/expertise you might provide.
Could I have a transfer case issue? Not sure. All case full of new fluid.
Just frustrated because this is my road car I baby. Live up a forest access road and use 4wd a lot in winter. Other issue I have is I can't get to my service manuals rights now as I am out of house because of the flooding here in Colorado. Have limited access to tools too so that doesn't help. Thanks for all and any info.
Tim

 

The axle does have a snap ring on the axle, but there is no way to get to it. It is a spring that snaps into a grove inside the diffy. I had a hell of a time getting my axle out to replace it. You have to get pressure on the axle and the diffy case to get it to pop out. I bought a pickle fork and ground the inside width until it fit over the axle and drove it in between the axle and the diffy case. It finally came out.

My 2003 Durango was making the same noise. The front driveshaft had come loose from the transfer case. When moving it was rubbing on the crossmember. The design of the front driveshaft is horrible in my opinion. The rear is not a u-joint but looks like a CV axle setup. This wears and the driveshaft come loose. I replaced mine with a driveshaft from abay that has a u-loint at each end. Works great.

 

Want to follow up on my request for help about my posting on axle replacement.
Issue turned out to be a bad CV end on front drive shaft and not the axle. Was a little difficult to track down.
Noise wouldn't always show up and would ONLY do it in 4WD, so the CV joint needed the torque on it when the TC was engaged to force the failure/noise.
Got a full U-joint shaft from ebay, fit perfectly, fast install, runs great.
Thanks to Danny in CO for pointing me in right direction.