I have a similar problem, but I think mine was caused by a local shop. I took it in to get my clutch done. I wasn't having any problems at all. The guy kept my car for a week and when I got it back it was making a loud whining noise and gears 3-5 would grind and when I let go of the gas, a loud grinding noise would occur - even on neutral. The gears feel find except for the noise and a little vibration. Do you guys think it was cuased by the clutch install or just coinsidence that my transfer case just went out at that exact time.

 

sounds to me like they put in the wrong fluid in the tc and prob messed up the ring and pinion, good luck

 

mmikey, did you get your problem figured out? Mine is doing the exact same thing after clutch install.

 

i have a very faint whine at low speeds that sounds like its coming from the front diff.

On the Highway though the rear diff howls and gets louder the faster I go. I have an 03. I had all the fluids changed recently and they didnt find any shavings