you're right Bandido, it wasn't the driveshaft
it was the driver side wheel bearing/hub
as soon as I had it in my hands I new it was bad
the one that came off the passenger side the day before still felt solid and smoothe so I put it on the driver side and the noise is completely gone now - what a relief!
thanks a lot yall

 

Glad to know you fixed it.

 

So you put the used bearing from the passenger side into the driver's side?

Glad it worked. Just keep in mind that its been my experience if one goes the other usually follows. You may be doing this again. But at least you'll know what it is.

 

In a 10 month period last year, I owned 4 different Blazer/Jimmys, and had to replace 4 hub assemblies in total. The noise going away while turning, is the dead giveaway, for me.

lol. On the 01 I've got now, they were SO bad, you could couldn't hear the radio. Seriously. The IDIOT who owned it previously, didn't believe in any vehicle maintenance.