P500 Clunking in the front output shaft

[Grasshopper]

Has anyone dealt with the u joint behind the front diff clunking intermittently? I've read something about bolts mounting the diff having slob and another thread where a fellow had what seemed like the Same noise, but it didn't have a resolution.

 

[DG Rider]

I've heard of the front shaft rattling in higher gears in 2wd, but nothing else (yet).

 

[Grasshopper]

Okay I have a 2016 with about 100 hours it makes the noise and you can feel a vibration at lower speeds in both 2 and 4wd. At higher speeds you can still hear it but no longer feel it. I put it up on harbor freight jack stands and spun the wheels. The noise is definitely in the u joint directly behind the front diff. I'm hesitant to replace the u joint because this problem has come and gone a few times.

 

[Grasshopper]

Well for the sake of closure I'll post what I found. When I pulled the shaft the u joint seemed fine, but I noticed a shiny ring worn in the shaft. A stick lodged above the shaft and was putting pressure on it making it clunk.

 

[DG Rider]

I actually had a stick dislodge my rear boot on the front shaft recently. Didn't damage it, but slung grease everywhere. What are the odds of a stick getting in there?