Diagnose grinding noise

[Reshala]

I took the kiddos out to some trails today and went too hard it looks like. I used the center diff locker for a few spots. When turning around I turned the locker off and the engine spun freely. I put it in park and back in drive. Still nothing. I turned the locker back on and the vehicle moved fine. I've driven us back to civilization on country roads fine. When the locker actuates it grinds badly. I am not going to cycle it again until I get home with these goofballs because I don't need three different moms mad at me that their kids are on the side of a mountain. I'm going to get under her after she's done dripping to see
If anything rotates freely or is visibly broken. The grinding is the weird factor that stresses me out. Initial thoughts,

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Putting the year of your truck and LC/LX helps with troubleshooting. Best case, one of the c-clips popped off the end of the CV, worst case, you blew your front diff. Pop the dust caps off, see if the c-clips are on, if they both are, it's probably your diff.

 

[Reshala]

Sorry it's a 2003 LC. Nothing visibly broken and driveshaft doesn't move at all in park. I'll get home and check the clips. Thank you!

 

[2001LC]

Propeller shaft forward & AFT (AKA drive shaft).
Front drive shaft (AKA: FDS, AKA CV)

Make sure H - L shifter (transfer case high low) fully in gear. Try both H & L, shift to them while in P.
Engage CDL by pushing the X button. You should see dash light X light, indicating CDL locked:

1. See if you then get power to rear wheels (Vehicle drivable). FDS, also spinning as it should. It's hub flange related i.e. strip splines or snap ring came off and outer axle of FDS pulled out of hub flange.
2. If FDS are not spinning, vehicle drivable and hear grinding. Likely Front diff issue, but can be transfer case or even forward propeller spiders (u-joint).
3. If no power to front or aft propellers shaft/wheels. You've serious issue, in transferase or transmission.

Caution:
Use a camera to video FDS and or propeller shafts, to see if they move/spin when in shifter in D or R and foot the on gas CDL engaged. Camera is used, so you don't get runover if vehicle moves.

 

[Reshala]

Thanks all. It was the right axle and I replaced both. The diff maintained sufficient fluid to get home. She's back to handling the snow for me thankfully because orange V8 Mustangs are not the first choice for that. Thanks for the advice everyone.