I just got my gears done and noticed some high-pitched driveline lash on letting off the gas at speed. This quick noise also happens when I get back on the gas at speed. The mechanic had my Jeep on the lift ( they were replacing the diff fluid at 500 miles) and had me turn the rear driveshaft while he held the tire and there was some play and mild 'clunking' during initial movement. He told me the driveshaft connection was going bad. He mentioned something about "loose balls in a cage" and I lost him there. He told me I could drive it until it broke, take the rear driveshaft out and drive in FWD mode to get to the mechanic.
So, do I need a new rear driveshaft? or should I have my transfer case and/or transmission checked too? I have a 4 door with the HD OME lift. I don't know how many inches of lift I got, but it's substantially taller than my old 2.5" lift. I did not see any grease leaking from the driveshaft.
Any help would be appreciated, as I am taking the Jeep out to the Mojave Road in April, and I would really hate to get stranded

 

Sounds like you've described the same exact noise/symptoms that my Cherokee had before the trans took a dump.

 

Id say its for sure bad gear job. I've done dozens of gears (mostly on drag cars) and the sounds and symptoms your describing sounds like a bad rear end setup. Did you have this sound before the gears? If not how can the drive shaft "all of the sudden" be the problem. Have him reset the gears. There should be no noise from a gear swap if its setup properly.

 

I did not have this sound before the gears and I was thinking the same thing. It's funny how the sound just started after the gears. I'll ask him to set up the gears again. Thanks

 

I called a dedicated transmission shop that is reputable and they're going to check it out. He said it might be a driveline angle, transmission ref lash, or a wrong gear setup,but not my transmission. We'll see

 

ended up being the drive shaft. Got a smoking deal at Brother's 4X4 in Montclair. They're the ones who put in the gears and it turns out they did a good job. The reason I noticed the noise was because the DS spins much after at speed and it hastened the demise of the OME DS. Got an Inland Driveline 1310 with double cardan joints for @500 installed.

 

sounds like the bearings inside your cv joint were going bad. also, sounds like you did get a smokin deal on your driveshaft. glad to hear you got your problem fixed.