I've noticed a grinding noise from my front right wheel when my hubs are locked and Im in 2WD on a paved road (I switch from paved to deep mud quite frequently.)I don't notice it in 4WD or with the hubs unlocked. I've done some research and i'm thinking spindle bushings?

 

Probably not the spindle bushings. They would make noise any time the CV shaft was turning, which would be in 4wd as well as 2wd with the hub locked.

I'm guessing your right hub isn't engaging properly. When you're in 2wd with hubs locked, the hub is trying to turn the CV axle but the splines are slipping past each other instead, causing the grinding noise. When you put it in 4wd, the differential turns the CV shaft, so everything is turning at the same speed and you don't hear any noise.

Pull your right hub apart and see what's going on.

 

Hmm, didn't think of that. Ill pull the hub when the weather clears up.
If my hub is bad, i might just order a refurb'd set and replace both while i'm at it.

 

Im going to wait a few days on this to get some replacement gaskets for the hubs.

 

youd be surprised. I had a hub that wasn't engaging. I was gonna get a refurb set, but then i ripped them apart. Took all the pieces out, cleaned them up real good. Bead blasted the parts that were rusty (yep the inside of the hub was rusty) greased it all up and it worked fine again. Took me like an hour. id try that first. If that is the case your 4wd shouln't work properly either though, wouldnt it?

 

Im suspecting that my hubs are dry as when took another look at em today i noticed some grease spots where the hub cover meets the hub body. I think the gaskets have gone bad allowing crap to get in and grease to get out.
My 4x4 is working, but that right hub just doesn't sound right when i turn the dial.