i drained and changed the fluid in the tcase and after about 50 miles it hasnt made the noise - i still get a clunk when i come up to a stop sometimes but the pencil shaving/ power-steering-going-out type of noise seems to be gone when i turn at low speeds - i feel stupid because i could have swore that i changed the fluid in the tcase when i did all the other fluids a month ago but i guess i just checked it - it was full and when i dipped my finger in and the fluid seemed of good color, but when i actually drained it the red was more brown than i realized - probably too soon to see if this was an actual fix, but im thinking positive - and taking out the front driveshaft is what one of the driveline specialty places said they would probably do if i brought it to them so yes i think that would narrow it down pretty good