Strange sound

[Trey765]

I have a 97 Z71, I bought it about a year ago and have noticed a whine/grinding noise in the rear. I changed out the axel seals and all gears in the rear end look good and no metal found and the rear grease had it's normal stink. The axels are straight. It almost sounds like a brake drag but the brakes are fine. The transfer case is full and everything seems to work fine. I am out of ideas, some people say its just the way the transfer case sounds. I had a 98 z71 in 98 and I don't recall it ever having a whining/grinding noise.


Any ideas what else it could be?

Thanks in advance for the help.