STI5300

iTrader: (4)

I have posted a thread about a strange rattling sort of noise I was only experiencing on overrun. The Guys at API bent over backwards to try and isolate it by swopping parts over but time was not on our side and we decided to call it a day. Tonight I have taken off the propshaft to have a look at the shaft which comes out of the transfer box. I am surprised to find that it has quite a bit of endfloat, coupled to the fact that it links via a helical gear to another shaft I hope I have found the source of the noise.
Can I easily take off the end cover for further investigation ?
The manual I downloaded from Saxonfields doesn't have the centre diff section therefore what is the recommended endfloat.
It was worse when cold but quietened a bit when warm !!!!!

Not been let down in the past, thanks in advance for any advice.

Andrew