2003 Jeep Wrangler steering noise

When, from a dead stop, I turn hard left or hard right and hit the accelerator, a loud “wratchety” sound comes from the front of the vehicle. I can’t really tell if it’s coming from the engine compartment or the front end.

With a pry bar, get in the steering knuckle and see if either of the u-joints is rattling around. The sway bar links can make some noise too, but they should not sound like that. All the drive parts run full time there. You’re just locking them in at the transfer case when you pull the lever up. I guess the hub assembly is a possibility too. Not hard to change, but they tend to cost a bit.