Bad sounds from transfer case/ four wheel drive

After a camping/ four wheeling trip and a little excessive wheeling, it sounds like my transfer case is grinding up a pop can. When I got on asphalt to go home an hour away the only way to make it stop metal on metal was to hold the 4wheel stick slightly to the left. Anyone have any ideas I would love the help. I have yet to actually crawl underneath and check it out. Thanks for any input or ideas.

 

Check your gear oil yet? Miles on truck?

 

I checked my gear oil, it spilled out of the check plug and I flushed it and refilled it 5k miles ago. Truck has 187k miles.

 

Does it make the noise in reverse ?
Does it make the noise in 4 low ?
Does it make the noise with the hubs locked and unlocked ?

 

I don't know the answer, but I'm having the same problem. They changed the gear oil, and it didn't solve the problem. I have 220,000 miles. They are estimating $900 for a replacement of the transfer case, which I can't pay right away. Can I drive the truck for a while only in 2-wheel drive and not cause major damage? Does anyone have any idea if this is a repair that could feasibly be done cheaper (ie, by me)?