When I'm in neutral in 2wd I can spin the front driveshaft by hand. I don't feel any binding in 2wd and I know my 4wd works. The vacuum actuator is pulling the cable but I'm guessing the cable needs adjusting at the front differential.

 

If you can spin the front driveshaft by hand, you should be able to spin one front wheel with the other three on the ground. Being able to spin the front driveshaft with all 4 wheels on the ground confirms both 2HI in the transfer case and that the front axle is disengaged.

 

OK I checked it again. I can rotate the tire by hand. But the axle is binding with the driveshaft a couple times each rotation. I can spin the driveshaft freely, but the wheel binds in spots and turns the driveshaft when I rotate the tire by hand. What does this mean?

 

Sounds like something is rubbing inside the front diff. The wheels should be able to spin without binding up or turning the front drive shaft provided the front axle engagement mechanism is fully disengaged. Does the same thing happen with the opposite front tire? If not, then the problem is likely in the front diff itself.

 

hmmm... The same binding is happening on both sides. I guess the cable could be partially engaged. Or the shift fork mechanism is knackered. Everything seems to be fine when I'm traveling down the road- is this worth fixing?

 

I had a shop look at it and everything is working fine. It was just the cv axles binding at that angle.