Rattle from underneath

[donamo6]

I have a 2000 XLS 4x4 with a 4.0 EFI and auto trans and 47000mi. Lately I have noticed a "tinny" type noise from underneath. I have done some troubleshooting and have found that it goes away when I manually engage the 4Hi. This leads me to believe that it is either the xfer case or the front differential. I spent some time looking at the case and front drive shaft..the shaft seems to have alot of play both rotational and side to side movement. I am able to turn it(while in park) about a quarter to a half inch, also, I am able to jiggle it about an eighth of an inch. The Ujoints appear to be ok.

I am guessing the internals of my case are shot or will be soon. I am totally new to 4x4's and xfer cases. My questions to the forum are..

How should the front shaft operate, is that kind of slack normal?
Am I barking up the right tree?

This is a wonderful site guys.

Thanks in advance for any help...
don
chicago

 

[donamo6]

rattle

in case anyone sees this, it turned out to be the front driveshaft. Hit it with a rubber hammer, made the sound. Disco'd the shaft, drove it and the noise was gone. Got a new shaft, new u joint, works good.