Woodcarverwoman

!Please help with pricing the differential repair cost estimates

My cherokee with 193,500+ miles has a loud and getting louder noise when in drive. Wheels and brakes check out ok. Noise started as a rubbing sound but has developed into a louder noise (off ctr spinning noise) I can only associate with the noises you hear while on the spinning rides at the carnival. It looks like the d44a differential is installed on this truck. What am I looking for: is what is a fair price repair to do this repair at a local mechanics shop? or is this something that can easily be done by a backyard mechanic? We had a problem with the 4wheel drive shaft about 3500 miles ago and pulled it out. Could this problem possibly related to that missing drive shaft? Could it be a simple U-joint replacement? We are over two thousand miles from our home and looking for a low cost solution. If any of you can offer suggestions I appreciate your efforts.

Eak