Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Grrrrrrrrrrowling noise from transmission

[GCULP]

as the title indicates, I know these 6 speeds have a little growl when you're lugging them at low RPM's or speeds, but the other night as I exited the freeway, coasted to lower speed, shifted down into 5th gear and eazed into the throttle, the growl was probably 3 to 4 times louder that usual.

I came to a stop, got under the truck to check the driveline and noticed the following, if i pushed up and down on the driveline next to the yoke that goes into the rear of the transmission there was a little movement, and if I tried to rotate the driveline it would turn maybe a 1/4" or little less. Also, the tail piece of the transmission case was warm enough I couldn't hold my hand on it past a 5 count. I was ready to turn around and head back home, but when I started the truck up and took off, it was no worse than normal and hasn't done it since.



My question is, what is causing the usual growl, is it a bearing? if so, which one, the input shaft or the output shaft or both? Should I be worried about the play at the output end of the transmission? Finally, there was one drip of transmission fluid on the tail piece and it was slightly damp around the end.

 

[SSolderitch]

I had a fwd dodge that the 5 sp got loud also, to turned out to be a leaky axle seal, ran it dry & killed the transmission a week later. CHECK YOU FLUIDS, transmission , transfer & rears while your under there.