X5 is being moody...Rubbing/Grinding Noise from center of the car

[Ctsiegf]

Hi all:

I've got a 2002 manual transmission x5 3.0 that has 95k miles on it. I had a noise start this weekend that I can't place. In the cabin it sounds like a grinding noise coming from under the center of the car through the gear shift and ashtray area. It started after a 60 mile highway trip yesterday. It sounds like a stick being dragged across pavement or two stones rubbing together. It is only audible from 1-30 mph. I don't have any vibration or loss of performance which makes it hard to place. It definitely isn't right though.

It makes the sound only when the car is moving. The clutch in or out and the brakes applied or not doesn't seem to matter.

I checked for things dragging, caught in heat shields, etc. and I couldn't find anything.

The noise happens straight ahead and doesn't change when turning.

I put the car on ramps and checked the transmission and transfer case levels and they look okay. (Although they need changed, the xfer case fluid was black/gross)

The guibos didn't have any cracking and the underside looks very good for a 95k mile vehicle.

I couldn't get any play in the driveshafts.

I could push the rear driveshaft up and down a little but the rubber in the center support bearing didn't have any cracks.

The only thing I can think of is the bearing in the center support bearing. I don't have a lift so I can't spin it off the ground.

Has anybody else had similar symptoms or any other ideas on what it could be? I've had all of the other common x5 pitfalls (alternator, coolant reservoir, oil filter housing gasket, etc) so I'm hoping someone has an idea before I go fishing replacing parts.

Thanks,
Carter