Good point on the axles Tom, an old CEG'er ran into the same inssue and when we piulled the pass side axle the CV was in pieces inside the boot.
Gonz you can check by hoisitng up the car and rotatin ght wheel back and force - there should be no noticeable lash in the joint, only in the tranny. It may help to have someone hold the inner CV stilll while you rotate back and forth to eliminate the lash in the trans and thus avoid any uncertainty of where any slop may be coming from.
