Drive line woes

[disco95]

G'day guys, I've got a problem that I can't seem to solve.
A couple of weeks ago I got a horrible grinding when decelerating. My first thought was transfer case. I've had issues with it before and only fixed the problem part. I pulled the TC out and did a total rebuild. Everything went smoothly and she's all back together. Only thing is, that sound is still there. I'm pretty certain it's a stuffed bearing (or bearings) somewhere. I dropped the oil in both diffs and the gearbox. All looked O.K. I've removed the flange from the rear diff, the pinion seems to be firm with no play. I removed the front diff flange and found a fair bit of play in the pinion. I immediately thought AH HA, but then I went outside and looked at my other disco, which already has the front diff flange removed and it also has a fair amount of play in the pinion.
Now I'm really worried that I've got to pull out the gearbox and do a rebuild on it too
Can anybody help shed some light on this issue for me?
I didn't originaly think gearbox as the noise is evident in all gears.
I'm still hoping that it's the front diff as that will be the easiest to repair

[Reddo]

Could be anything.....handbrake drum, front or rear bearings of diffs, CVs etc.

Try jacking it up and running it through the gears and get someone to look/listen to isolate the problem area. Even disconnect the drive shafts to see which end it is if necessary.

[460cixy]

sounds like a diff to me quiet on drive but noisy on over run

[disco95]

Disconnected the front shaft tonight and ran her through the gears. 3rd was a bit noisy, reverse is very noisy. Started the removal process tonight. Had to stop early to watch Supernatural though. I'll have more time tommorrow night, so I should get the box out and start striping it down.

[460cixy]

reverse will be noisy its straight cut

[cooter]

what are ur shafts like mine growl on decel due to huge angle and a buggered uni