Groan in front end when under 4wd

[chris_kucia]

Was under the front end replacing a worn idler and greasing all 11 of those fittings.

 

I had a groaning in the front end when using 4wd and turning. While I was under there I did some investigating and found that the bearing on the driver's side of the front axle is pretty much shot. I can wiggle the flange where the drive axle bolts to the front axle assembly. Lots of play, although it isn't leaking yet and the axle was full of oil.

 

I have the factory manual, and it seems like a pretty straightforward job (once you get past removing the drive axle).

 

Has anyone done this? Looks like I need a bearing remover with slide hammer, but other than that, it doesn't look like too bad of a job. Don't even have to remove the front axle assembly from the truck or even crack open the case.