Ok everyone, new member here, just bought a cheap 2003 Laredo. It has a significant grinding issue that I am trying to pinpoint before proceeding to repair. The symptoms are this: from a stop, when accelerating there is a severe grinding noise center in the front end under the driver (maybe) but only if you accelerate over a certain amount (approx 1200 rpm). If you get into it easy...no issues at all. Once it gets out of first gear, there is occasionally a grinding noise when you get to 2nd gear, again based on your acceleration level. After that there are no issues. If you ease into your acceleration there are no issues at all. (we are talking very slow acceleration) This issue pops up in 2w high, 4w full and 4 w part time but NOT in 4w low. I can manually shift through the gears with no issues but it seems related to the amount of torque placed on the transmission. My gut is telling me the TC, but it could be other things as well. There is no issue once at speed or even in 3rd gear.

 

Welcome to CF!

Check the front differential fluid for color and quantity. Make sure there is no silver sparkles in it. You may have gear damage like galling or bearings worn out. The noise sounds like it is only effected by torque, which leads me to think the ring and pinion are galled.

No....wait! you said it does it in 2wd as well. right? Well, the ring is driving the pinion and front shaft in 2wd anyhow. IDK....check the front diff anyhow, pull the cover and look at the gears.

 

Hmm, tough one to diagnose from here. Would be nice to know what transfer case, transmission and engine you have. Perhaps a stretched chain in the transfer case could cause this.