I have a 98 with a HPD30 in it and 231 T Case.

When I put it in 4WD, I can hear an audible noise that was not there previously. I have wheeled with a 5" lift and stock arms for a few weeks last year when I started to hear the noise. There were a few times that I could feel the short arms and lift bottomed out the drive shaft.

I have since changed out a leaking front output seal on the 231, a new(used) front drive shaft, and right now my D30 pinion seal is leaking. What else can be damaged from bottoming out a front drive shaft?

This weekend I took the drive shaft off and there is no play at all in the yoke with side to side and up to down, but there is a small amount of rotational play which I understand is ok. It did feel like the rotational play was a bit grindy, as in it was not a fluid motion from one side of play to the other, there was a bit of resistance in the middle.

I have ordered a new outer pinion seal, but before I install it, I wanted to see if there was any other input or ideas on the issues.

The fluid level is good and it is not white or creamy.

 

If the seal is leaking the bearing is on it's way out.

 

Even tho I have no play in the yoke?