Front drivers side feel notchy

So I'm chasing one of those squeaks on the Rhino that's loud enough to drive me nuts - bearings on both front axles, new ball joints, and new brakes.

I noticed that the left front axle feels very notchy, like a bad bearing. Right side is fine. It's not the axle bearing it's in the diff.

I was just about to tear the diff out when I saw this post indicating that that is how these front diffs are.. Can anyone confirm?