Ok an up-date:

just got back from a 10 mile ride in the mountains. The temperature is 20 degree's warmer and the more that I drove the more the noise went away. To be honest it was 0 degree's the other day and I only drove about 3 miles. I guess that the fluid never got warm enough to lubricate properly. Today's ride produced normal front axle sounds with the hubs locked.

Just an OLD hippy with lot's of experience !