Metal ball help

2006 Tacoma. I was in 4wd and noticed it was hard to turn/grinding a little bit. I was in mud so was unable to stop and then noticed afterwards a new metallic grinding sound, as well as what looked like a couple metal ball bearings on the ground after. Now, even back in 2wd I don’t have the hard turning, but have the metallic sound as I drive. Any help is appreciated.

 

Sounds like a front hub bearing but no way for us to know over the internet. Go wash off all the mud, crawl underneath, and look for things that don't look right.

 

This one lost a few bearings, too

 

Did you look at your CV joint?

 

Describe your balls in detail.

Lol, silly Saturday.

I’d get it up on jack stands. Grab a wheel at 3 and 9 o’clock. Push in at 3, pull out at 9, then reverse to pull at 3 and push at 9. Repeat at 12 and 6. Listen for odd noise, watch for abnormal movement. Spin the wheel listening for odd noises. Repeat at every wheel.