Got the grinding noise coming from just in front of Driver on Left Hand side. It started out as an annoying hum when I made a long right-hand turn. The Hum has evolved to a grinding crunching metallic sound. Kinda like driving on broken glass.

Anyways, I decided to dig in to this common issue. I rented the hub removal tool from Autozone along with the ball joint splitter and a 32 mm 3/8 drive socket. I got most of the parts off without any issues. However, I'm now stuck trying to remove the half shaft.

I tried to removed it using the Hub removal tool from Autozone. I can't event tell if it budged any. Then I tried PB Blast with the tool again. I used so much force that the Forcing crew tip has become distorted. I tried banging on the halfshaft with a 4lb short handled sledge. That didn't work. I put the wheel lock hub back in partially and banged on that with the sledge and that didn't work. I even thought of removing the halfshaft with the knuckle. The shaft that is at the other end (in the transfer case) actually slips out quite easily. I don't know if that is a concern or not, JTIS says something about a snap on retaining ring. Is it supposed to be that loose, could this be the source of the noise I'm hearing? Also, there is another problem, the shaft is then held in place by the CV boot. For now, I've decided to return this back into position until I get further direction from the forum experts. BTW I sprayed the area with PB Blast and will let it sit overnight.

 

Nothing new to report 2 days later:

What are my options here? Anybody...somebody help!!!!!

 

To me it sounds like your wheel bearing. If you can get your wheel bearing out, then replace it, otherwise, you may just have to go on car-part.com and get some parts that aren't completely hosed up. Sorry I don't have any more to help with, but I'm just trying to get this thing rolling