Wow, with advice like that its a wonder anyone would do their own work
It took me an hour to pull my axel shaft and replace the boot on it. No banging or cussing needed. As for tools, just a pair of diagnal cutters, snap ring pliers, and small hammer for the boot. I do recomend a good long extention and swivel socket for the bolts holding the axel shaft to the diff flange. The only "hard" part of the whole job was getting the upper BJ reconnected at the end.
The noise is probably from the lack of grease in it atm (probably all sprayed out when you put it in 4hi). As for the drift, like others said, 4wd might just be exagerating an exsisting wear issue in the steering or suspention components.