to save $125 plus shipping.....it is still has the same 5 points and is just as servicable. Most shops have same day service as well...only 1 day down.

 

So there should be no back lash on both drive Lines right

 

there should be no play in the U joints there will be some gear lash in the diffs but the U joints should be solid . Usually you can spot a failing U joint as it will have orange dust around the rubber boots, this is rust from the ungreased bearings

 

Did you ever solve this issue? I listened to the video you made and my 2003 D2 is making the same noise. Mine has 172K miles and I changed the driveshaft last year, which makes me hesitant about it being the driveshaft again

Note: I realize this post is 7-8 years old, but hoping someone recognizes the sound in the video the was posted

 

The same shaft was on our rover for 5 years since we bought it. 2 years ago I replaced it with a junkyard shaft that had grease fittings and a sticker on it that was still readable. 6 months ago, the junkyard shaft went, so we bought a $110 shaft off of an ebay seller. That shaft started making noise a couple weeks ago. He would not return it.


I shoved grease into the ball that is inside and the noise went away. However...we noticed a pulsation while driving and it was getting worse. Decided to just buy the parts and rebuild the one I pulled off 6 months ago. Once I finished, I pulled off the ebay shaft and put my rebuild back on. Pulsation gone, all noises gone. Smooth as butter.


I did notice on the ebay shaft I just pulled off, there was play in the center ball, I could move the center ball in and out, it would make a knocking noise, and I could not on the one I rebuilt.


I used all MOOG parts and the stiffness of the shaft when I was finished is not like the one I bought off ebay.


I don't like the fact that there are $5 u joints...mine were $28. The ebay shaft wasn't the same weight either and looked very cheap.