Defender 300tdi Rear drive member/ half shafts

I'm trying to get to the bottom of the loud clunk which happens when pressing the clutch pedal to change gear (on the move), particularly 1st to 2nd. It's a 1996 Defender 300tdi

It was suggested I replace the drive flanges first. The front seems easy enough, but I have looked at my Defender and on the rear it has the integrated half shaft/ drive flange type (see photo).
Is there a way to check these rear members for wear before ordering the parts, as they are quite a bit more expensive than the front?
The front is easy enough to check by moving the wheel and watching for play.
Are they quite straightforward to replace?

Thanks as always for your help!

Have you checked your rear A frame ball joint?

Have you checked all your bushings for wear?

I mean REALLY checked them, a bush can look good but when levered with a bar can suddenly be a bit shi-te

Can you stop the noise happening by coming off the clutch gently?

What happens if your in 2nd crawling along and stomp the accelerator? Does the bang occur then?

What happens if your at high revs in first and lift off the accelerator suddenly?

I would have thought that elongated holes in the drive member or any deformation of the splines would be a tell tale sign. Have you checked the condition of the rear uj's?

flat said:

Have you checked your rear A frame ball joint?

Have you checked all your bushings for wear?

I mean REALLY checked them, a bush can look good but when levered with a bar can suddenly be a bit shi-te

Can you stop the noise happening by coming off the clutch gently?

What happens if your in 2nd crawling along and stomp the accelerator? Does the bang occur then?

What happens if your at high revs in first and lift off the accelerator suddenly?

Click to expand...

Going to go now and spend a good bit of time going over everything.
Flat - yes to clunk when lifting off accelerator suddenly but not as prominent as when changing up gear particularly 1st to 2nd and then to 3rd. That noise sounds like I’ve dropped my entire gearbox and axle on the road!
I’ll report back

heres a before and after picture of the half shafts - pull them out and have a look!