Freelander 1 TD4 Rear Drive Shaft Play

Hello all,
Over the week or so I've noticed a slight knock from the rear of my 2006 TD4 Auto Freelander. I hear it when stopping or a hill heading down or pulling away from stopped heading up. Its only very slight.

Had a look under it this evening and noticed a bit of play in both rear drive shafts. The play on both is at the hub end. There's no play at the diff end.

Am thinking that is CV joints / boots starting to go. Its done 83000 miles and is still on its original VCU. It will reverse in a circle all day at idle and doesn't feel tight. Felt the rear wheels kick in yesterday when rescuing (towing) our friend's Defender TD5 so I think all is good with the VCU / IRD etc.

Any ideas?? CV joints / boots or am I looking at new drive shafts?

Thanks all

I think a lot of the time its quicker/cheaper just to replace the driveshafts. You will though have to decide on Genuine, OEM or aftermarket - there is a huge difference in price.

Thanks GrumpyGel,
I will probably go for OEM or genuine. I always think you get what you pay for with parts. Have been caught out before by trying to save a few quid and regretted not buying better quality parts.

Had another look today and the play really isn't that much, a ml or two at the very most. I'm thinking it might be one of the rear diff mounts.

Rear diff mounts go long before the CVs. The front mount is the most likely culprit

Spot on thanks. As soon as it stops raining I'll get under it and see how the front mount looks. Might be next year at this rate!