this may sound like a funny question but I am curious if you have the vehicle in 2wd and climb under and grab front driveline and rotate it (as it would rotate normally when moving forward or reverse) how much free play (rotating CCW/CW) should the driveline have?
I inspected all the U joints, attachment bolts and all are nice and snug so it has to be in the front diff either ring/pinion backlash or combination of ring/pinion/spider gear backlash
off top of my head if the driveshaft were a watch it appears to move maybe 15° of from the 12 to 1/2 way to 1 position
Again maybe I should get a video of it when i get the pics to post on here later though it has been raining like crazy so i will get soaked climbing under it.
I just do not remember what any of my other 4X4's had as far as freeplay in this area.

 

I understand what you are sayin' there, and that is perfectly normal. There is slop between ring and pinion, and more from the spider gears, so, a bit of rotational slop is normal. Yours actually sounds pretty good.

 

Oh cool, thanks. I went out to climb under and go figure as I get the Durango up to put jack stands underneath the sky opens with Hail and then a complete downpour so that had to be cancelled . go figure it did not rain all the time I was inside it waited until 5 min after i went outside LOL.

 

Someone hates you.

Don't live in michigan by any chance? That sure sounds like michigan weather.

 

Nope Oregon, we don't tan we rust.