4x4 front end binding and popping really loud!

my 1994 ranger when in 4x4 and turning front end pops. I have read some topics on auto hubs causing this but mine seems to be very bad. when turning and moving very slow you can feel something binding and then like bang! . feels like axle is binding . if you push in the clutch when it start to bind it will stop the truck and cause it to roll backwards, if you continue to go then it will pop or bang loud. Can someone tell me if this is what the auto locking hubs do when they are bad or could it be in the differential. Does it have spider gears and may be broken. . my son said when watching , it picks up the arm and shock before it pops. what do yall think? can it the locking hubs causing so much noise and binding.
thanks in advance robbie

I would suspect that the axle shaft U-joints are binding up. Mine would do that while in 4wd. It'll spin for a while then bind, pop! It's a time consuming job, you basically gotta tear the whole front end apart (breaks, rotors, hubs, all that good stuff) A haynes manual will walk you through the process, except you have to go through a couple of different chapters.
That would be my guess. good luck!!!

My Ranger used to do that.. not quite that bad. i replaced my auto hubs with manual WARN hubs.. works alot better in 4wd.. i also replaced my ball joints and my u-joints.. the banging quit!.. any older 4wd will bind when turning when it is engaged in 4wd.. that is due to the u-joints under power.. hope that helps..

Mine did that when in 4wd and driving straight. But Rangerman is right, when you turn while in 4wd, The front end will have a tendency to bind up.