Pop and binding feeling on 99 tacoma

New here, just aquired 99 4x4 about a month ago.

I spent about an hour searching the forum and could not find anything similar. Forgive me if I did not use the right search terms and missed what I am looking for.

A few weeks ago I went to pull out of parking lot and heard a pop. I listened and did not hear or feel anything else so I just wrote it off.
It iced up here (rare in East Texas) Sunday night and I drove my truck in to work in 4hi on the icy roads Monday and home with no problems. When I went to leave for work Tuesday I backed around and got pointed out the driveway. When I stare forward it felt like the brakes were on and then it made a pop. Thinking I was on a chunk of ice I gave a little more gas and it popped twice and the backend started around.
I knew something was wrong so I backed it up out of the way and took my wife's car to work.
When I got home I got in it to see if I could tell what was binding and it acted fine. I backed up and pulled forward several times and it suddenly felt like I was holding the brake again. I had my teenage son come out and look to see if one of the tires was dragging as I eased forward to pinpoint problem but all were turning although it felt like a brake was holding some.
Today is my day off so I got a jack and raised each front tire off of the ground and spun them both forward and back with no issue. Then I lifted the back tires and spun them with no issues.
I also got under truck and rocked front drive shaft to determine if u joints were sloppy.
I am drawing a blank and wondered if anyone had experienced similar symptoms or had any suggestions on what it might be.
I believe the problem is in the front because the back end was trying to come around the other morning when it seemed to be bound up the worst.
I do know the front drivers CV axle has been replaced and recently the rear axle seal on one side was replaced due to a leak. I did not see any sign of a leak on either side of the rear axle
I have had a local mechanic that works on my stuff when I can't fix it mention a slack transfer case chain on other vehicles cause similar symptoms

Sorry for the lengthy post but I thought I should give all information I could to help diagnose

Thanks for any help

 

Sounds like a rear drum dragging maybe... I'd pull both rear drums and take a look inside. Might be related to the rear seal that was replaced, maybe it wasn't cleaned well enough. Good place to start.

 

Bad ujoint in rear driveshaft or really worn out outer axle bearing?

 

Well after hours of going over the front end I got to the back and the seal that was replaced is leaking and getting on the drum
Will be contacting shop tomorrow to see if they will warranty their work
Could not see any oil on outer drum, had to pull drum to find it.

Thanks for the replies

I would have bet money the problem was coming from the front but I am glad it was not

 

Is it still making the noise? I've had ice make the exact symptoms you are talking about. I've also found my rear brake cable had a loose strand that got caught in it's guide in back. It made the same popping noise.

Good luck