4x4 Makes grinding noise when engages

Hello, First time for a forum but im at a loss with my truck! I have a 99 tacoma, when I engage the 4x4 on the floor the light does not come on, and as i roll forward the front diff makes a nasty grinding noise! Lots of play on the third member going into the differential. What are the chances the outter bearing is the problem and the gears are fine. The truck has rarely been wheeled since purchased, and the owner before never took it off road! Please help!!!

 

well... i see in your info you have 4.88 gears noted. so im assuming you regeared your rear diff, right?

 

They were installed before i purchased the truck, i just did the spin the wheel check on the gears, driveline spun just under 5 times after rotating tire 2 full revolutions

 

thing im wondering though is if he regeared the front to the same ratio. if he didn't the front axle will be turning at a slower or faster pace, causing the grinding. how does it drive while in 4x4?

 

Well it work just fine last winter, the few times the 4x4 was engaged. A few months ago i went to put it in and the light wouldnt come on. Now when I shift it into 4h or 4l it seems to shift into gear like normal, plenty of vacuum too, i barely learch forward and can hear it growling and grinding, and do not get the 4x4 light on the dash, but my abs light has been coming on randomly when driven, also my rear diff light glashes when i push in the rear diff lock button, dont wanna drive it much and bust something serious if not already. But never once did it just go out while i was in 4x4, not that i ever noticed

 

try removing the actuator and manually engaging your front hub/dif lock

 

Is that the canister thing on the side of it, not to savi when it comes to differentials or transmission stuff lol

 

do you have manual or automatic locking hubs?

 

Automatic