I did end up with a clicking front diff. It was shimmed but the ring gear screws backed out.
I installed new ring and pinion and cleaned and filled the front diff with Losi 5000 cst fluid.
I want 7000 in the front diff. so I'm going to swap the front to the rear and rebuild the rear, ( now front), with 7000 fluid.
I turned my brake setting down from 50% to 25% and loosened my slipper a lil bit to protect the gears from excessive force. So far so good. Time will tell.