Thread: Transfer Box Query?

Noticed a metallic knocking noise a couple of days ago on initial take off, i.e. when under load, and following a quick inspection under the vehicle (and with my lousy eyesight these days) did not see anything obvious. Within a day or so I noticed a 'clunk' when selecting drive or reverse and then suspected I may have a CV or two failing. Over the weekend I had another look (this time with my trusty $2 shop glasses) and noticed that one of the front drive shaft uni's was failing. Removed the shaft and noticed that only one has failed and the other two look and feel to be perfectly ok.
Not sure whether to replace only the faulty uni or all three on the shaft while its out (not that its a major problem to remove the drive shaft).
Also, of a bit more of a concern, I noticed (with the drive shaft removed) that there seemed to be considerable slack when rotating the flange on the transfer box ... about 15mm movement (at the edge of the flange) from clockwise to anti-clockwise.
Can anyone advise is this sort of movement is normal in the transfer box or is this excessive?
The same rotation on the front diff is less at about 5mm.
I also believe that Hardy Spicer have exchange drive shafts and wonder if this is a viable way to go ... uni's are not too expensive to pick up from CBC or HS but don't have any pricing on an exchange shaft as yet ... anyone who's done an exchange and can remember what price ... I'd appreciate an idea of how much I might be up for.
TIA ... Dave

replace all 3 unis and yes thats about the normal amount of slack.