Rear driveshaft play
 

I don't know if anyone remembers, but I posted a while back something about
my XJ making popping noises as I approached a stop sign (faster to slower as
speed decreased from 40mph or so down to 10 mph or so. It sounds like it is
coming from the rear.

Since I'm finally back home, I decided to take a peek. First thing I did
was change out the diff fluid as the morons who did it for me last year
decided using proper amounts of RTV silicone was just a suggestion. It was
all over the place and leaking a considerable amount of fluid. Looked
around, and although I'm no gear expert, everything looked good in the diff
(by the way, this is a 2000 XJ w/ Chrysler 8.25 w/trac-lock, selec-trac
x-fer case, 2" shackle lift <YUCK>, and auto tranny). Got everything
cleaned up, resealed, and filled up.

Now to track down the popping. Someone had suggested LCAs being loose.
Since it's an XJ... leaf springs... no LCAs... sometimes I forget that after
working on my TJ all the time. I found that there's 1/8 - 1/4" play in the
driveshaft where it connects to the rear axle. I can grab the tires and
move them a bit before the gears "clunk" and move the shaft. It's not the
U-Joint, as far as I can tell. I thought this might be the source of my
clunking. I put the axle up on jack stands and tried to get it to clunk
while running and applying the brakes. No can do. The only clunk is when
going from nuetral to drive or to reverse when the brakes are applied. Not
a significant sound, but audible.

Thoughts? It only has 54k miles on it. Shouldn't be having all the
problems it does. Thanks for the help!

Eric
00 XJ LTD