So for the whole time that I have owned my 02 3.0 sport 5spd (110k miles) there has always been a whining noise coming from the front of the car. I swapped the transfer case fluid when I bought the car and was very impressed that there was still clean fluid in it. However, whenever I am driving from around 5-15mph there is a whine coming from the front of the car. I just left this alone and didn't pursue it thinking it was just the prop shaft and I would just have to get used to it, but now the sound is getting louder and more distinct very quickly. The noise is also coming from the front of the car and I have never read anything about a prop shaft making noise just at low speeds. Also the noise occurs when the car is in neutral, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. It does sound like a bearing whine, but cannot be a wheel bearing (already tested for it.) I have searched and searched and everyone else who has whine problems occur at medium to higher speeds which is why I am puzzled. The noise also sounds like it is in stereo when i put my head right over the shift knob. I am very worried this noise could be a warning sign for serious problems, but I have just ignored it because when I bought the car it was making the noise and I have put maybe 6k on since then so my thinking is that if there was anything seriously wrong, it would have failed by now. If anyone could provide new insight into new things I should check or things I should go back and re-check I would very much appreciate it.

 

I think I may have found the problem... The transfer case has thrown fluid everywhere. This might suck...