I know this is a common and fairly universal symptom, I just can't remember what it is or what to look at. When accelerating, no growling, when I let off the gas just a little bit I get a growl under the car. Cant tell if it is more to the right or left. When I let off the gas completely the growl goes away. This 2002 D2 has 171k miles. I just picked it up and I am sure it sat for a while. I am going through the major service and just completed the Transfer case and both differential oil changes. All were pretty clean. i know some one knows this symptom and wht I should check/replace. Thanks in advance.

 

you have described a bearing noise. notice any play in the output flange at the tcase?

 

Did not notice any play. Mostly, if not exclusively, because I didn't check for it. So to be clear, what should I be trying to shake or turn to find the play. I was trying to find all the grease lube points along the prop shaft and there was no turning or shaking the front prop shaft, though the uj's looked dry etc. Im thinking this will be one of my sooner than later projects (rebuild the ujoints and that other bearing that is an issue at the back end of the front prop shaft).

 

that was where I was referring to....the flange that the front shaft bolts up to.
so the biggy here is the idea that it maybe the driveshaft.
is it original? are you able to grease the centering ball? if that is the growl, that could be about to let go. I see you are '02, so no ability to lock the tcase and remove the front shaft for testing. it would be good if you could

 

an original or sealed shaft will only have 2 grease fittings.......
$228 ish lucky8 front propshaft is about the best deal you will find

 

Replaced the front shaft. It was/is quite shot. No more sound. Better peace of mind. Now I will have a spare front shaft once I decide to practice rebuilding the UJs.