i got under my X today for inspection. Is it ok that i can turn my drive shaft about a 1/4" back and forth? Is it suppose to have a little play in it like that?

No, where is the play coming from?

Does it slide front to back or does it rotate a 1/4" ??

Hmmm. I have noticed a little bit of play in mine as well, while trying to rotate it. I figured it was normal.

So there isn't supposed to ANY play when the drive shaft is rotated?

I don't think it should have any. I just went and checked both of mine and they don't move at all.

Service manual says: Journal axial play 0.02mm (0.0008") or less.

You need to determine where the movement is coming from. There will be some play in the differential. I think the measurement given is for the slip joint which may have a little movement allowed but there should be none detectable at the U/Js.

He said "turn" so I assume that means rotate. If so, then some movement is normal.

That's what I figured.

My 06 OR auto has a lot of rotational driveshaft play which appears to be "ring and pinion play". Because of that I get a pretty good "clunk" when shifting into reverse and also when driving along at 30 mph I'm aware of a mild clunk if I abruptly take my foot on and off the gas pedal. I can also here it clunk twice at 5-15 mph as the transmission is downshifting as I come up to stop sign. If the radio is on I can't here the clunks. I have about 17M miles on the vehicle. I'm reluctant to have the dealer mess with it unless someone thinks its a problem.

I had the same issue on my rear drive and it turned out to be a busted U-joint. Do you feel vibrations at speeds over 40mph? I got a replacement one with a zerk fitting.

yeah it moves when i rotate it not back and forth in the splines. So it is normal to have some play in the driveshaft?

It's hard to tell by what you are saying if what you're experiencing is normal or not... but it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to slap in some new U joints.

what im saying is that i can turn it back and forth just a tad..its not loose at the ujoints and it doesnt slide back and forth. It just turns a little when i grab it.

I already posted this: Service manual says: Journal axial play 0.02mm (0.0008") or less. Measure the rotation, there should not be much. The ring an pinion should not have that much play.

on my truck, when im driving and let off the gas, it kinda feels like it.....hard to explain. it kinda kicks and seems to bog down a good bit. when i put my foot back on the gas, it clunks and goes. i'll check out the u/j. are they hard to replace? its been doing this since i got the truck. its had me worried figureing it was the tranny since ive had so much bad luck with them. also, where can i find said u/j in the event of replacement?

Ok way back in Nov it was asked where you got that u-joint with a zerk fitting. It still need to be answered. I need one before thursday. HELP!!!!

4x4parts.com has u-joint replacements.
There are TWO per driveshaft.
I will be replacing all of mine shortly.