2001 blazer

Got the 4wd partially fixed up(4lo doesnt work) and after using it a few times just to test it out(haven't actually used it off road yet) I noticed some sort of grinding noise whenever I give it some gas, it is also present when driving on reverse but the clicking sound is a bit different.

I'm thinking its the differential at the front or maybe even the axles. I have a small problem too when I turn my steering wheel to right or left on making sharp turns it sometimes clicks for like 3-4 times and 5-6 times more when i turn the steering wheel back to normal position after im done with the turn, so they COULD be related.

Anyway I'm not currently on a good financial stance so I can't have someone look into it. I have an uncle whose good with old american cars but before I let him tear everything down I wanna hear some other opinions to try to narrow down the problem

 

'Clicking' sounds could be the CV joints on the front shafts.

 

Wouldn't that then be making noise at all times? not just when using 4wd?

 

True, sorry I missed that part.

 

I am having a similar problem.... not sure exactly what it is; I took my right headlight off and saw that my vacuum actuator was fully engaged. I had to use my 4x the other day and it worked beautifully for about 3-500 metres, then that damned noise was back... I keep thinking I should take the oil filler bolt/cap off the differential and look for pieces of gear to fall out. I was trying to describe the noise to a friend the other day; best description I could think of is ball bearings in a pepper grinder...
if you find anything out; let me know!

 

Well I changed my front differential fluid and when I opened it there wasnt much liquid there anyway... few days after when I tried the noise was gone but I'm not sure if it was because of the fluid levels cuz before changing it the noise came on and off randomly