thx for this reply. i wasn't there to see what he did. but here is some advise i was given. jack up the rear end and put the truck in gear...listen for grinding noise.
i cked the cv joint and it looks good...but another piece of advise was to then jack up the front end - put the truck in neutral and engage the 4x4.

i am sorry i do not know what vsv is and what do you mean about cycle the 4wd?
thank you...this is a big help for me. i am in mexico and things are a little different here to say the least.
pattimo