Hi all.

Trying to track down a mid/front drivetrain noise, the pitch of which is entirely road speed dependant. As it remains unchanged in High or Low ratio, I amassuming it cannot be the main auto gearbox. Chief suspects as follows:-

Tranfer box output shaft bearings (seems too far forward for this)
Rear prop shaft support bearing (changed to no effect)
Front prop shaft UJs (all appear solid with no play or backlash)
Front diff bearings, crown wheel or pinion
Front drive shafts (wrong noise and no clicking on full lock turns)
A front wheel bearing (no play with wheel of the ground but noise could be present under radial load only)

All fluids have been changed and are at the correct levels.

My next step to narrow down the culprit is to remove the front prop shaft and drive it down the road a short way to see if the noise changes.

My question is, will this starin or damage anything in the drive train? I am assuming that the transfer box will sense the lack of traction at the front, lock the center diff and send drive through the rear prop shaft.

Any collective wisdom on the above would be much appreciated.