odd sound coming from what I think is the axle

[sampsongrsk]

so I was driving along yesterday and the weirdest thing happened, I started to hear something that sounded like a axle or Ujoint rubbing up against the underside of my 1998 camry le 4 cylinder (140k). Now I thought that it was front wheel drive so I guess you could say i was suprised when it sounded like it was coming from right between the two front seats, underneath. it initially only did it when in reverse and not moving. now it is doing it only in drive while at a stop, does not do it in park or neutral... Any thoughts as to what it may be? hopefully it is something very simple like a corroded heat shield rubbing against something. Hopefully it is not too serious like a differental going bad, any suggestions?

[TexanF250]

Get a miror. Bigger the better and tape it or otherwise attach it to a stick (brrom handle will do nicely. Attach it so that it is at some sort of angle.

Have some one get in and hold it in drive while you or someone else looks under the car with the mirror. All the extra lighting you can get will be a bonus.

Another idea would be to take it to a quicky oil change place and have the take a look underneath with the car in drive..