Doing the normal crawl around under the tintop during its service I grabbed hold of one of the driveshafts (Front wheel drive) and there appears to be a fair bit of rotational play in it. I assume this is not normal?

Can these things be "rebuilt" or would it be wiser to simply replace the entire thing. The one on there is 14 years old and a bit rusty. Can't say I have ever done one....

Would a sloppy driveshaft explain why I get driveline shunt as I lift off the accelerator do you think?

Last time I had a dodgy driveshaft I just got a second hand one off Ebay. One nut on the wheel, six bolts on the gearbox, some 'enthusiasm' on the splined shaft to dislodge it then replace it.

You can repace the CV joint or fit a recon' shaft. Worth pricing both as the price difference is sometimes so little it's not worth the effort to change just the joint.

PS... depends upon the design/make as some shafts don't have removable joints.

[Edited on 6/3/15 by adithorp]