Hi, as above really, is there anyway I can stop the lateral play in the driveshafts? Starting to do my nut in, never used to do it

Car is a MY03 STI btw

 

you mean side to side movement between the diff/wheel? thats supposed to be there. when the wheel is pressed up in to the whel arch, the shaft needs to get shorter, when you jack the car up, the shaft gets longer.
ive only opened up the diff end joint of a drive shaft before. no spring in there. duno about the wheel end joint though, maybe theres one in there to take up the slack ?

 

Yes just as you've described, makes sense when you put it like that as well. I don't know about the springs, maybe someone else can help there. I only wondered as the 'knocks' weren't noticeable before, they are a recent addition to the car.