Alright thanks.. Like I said, I know normally it wouldn't cause any issues to pull the front shaft.. just wasn't sure with the lunchbox style lockers if it would cause it to lock up or not... I'll have to look into the gear oil additive once I figure out what is going on... I'm running Royal Purple in there right now... so wouldn't think should have any issues as far as oil causing aways... but you never know... Hoping to figure out what it is fairly quickly.. and hopefully won't be a crazy expensive repair...