When maintaining my rear brakes a few days ago, I notice quite a lot of backlash in the driveline. With RR wheel off the ground the rear propeller shaft looks like this (gerbox in "P"):


I have no idea how much backlash is normal but it seemd a bit too much to me. It is also quite noticeable when driving.

Within a few days I will get the gearbox replaced with a brand new one since it is shifting like an old cow every now and then. The garage should have a look at the baklash also...

190.000 km "Plentraktoren/Garden tractor": 2008 L322 TDV8
"Project": 1990 90 County 300tdi

It could be transmission output spline wear. Here's a pic of my trans.

Click image to enlarge

Seen quite a few worn front propshafts...

If the splines are worn, that would only be a part of the problem. There are about 50 splines (roughly counted from the picture) and about 1/16 of one revolution backlash. The propshaft would have to jump 3+(?) splines to get that amount of backlash... "Plentraktoren/Garden tractor": 2008 L322 TDV8
"Project": 1990 90 County 300tdi

You could try from the rear wheel end - jack each one up and try turning the wheel, the 'play' may be one of the cv joints on the drive shaft. I had a rear cv go bang - prior to this I was getting a thud each time I went into reverse.

Just thinking - each time I went into reverese there must have been a lot of play going back up the prop shaft.

Cheers

Simon