4 Wheel Drive/SUVs: front end clicking noise when not in 4WD, axles, hubs

Question
When driving there is a clicking noise coming from or near the front end. when I put it in 4-wheel drive the clicking will stop. Is this a u-joint, spindle or bearing problem?

Answer
Richard,

it sounds like one of the hubs in failing and is causing the sound. Once you put it in 4 wheel drive the front axle puts torque on the hubs and will stop the sound or "loosness" of the hub internals. I would inspect the hubs and see their condition before I went to throwing axles and u-joints at it.

Matt