clank from the front

hi. i have a td5 auto 2001 wih 120000 on the clock. when i am driving and just before i come to stop there is a mettallic clank seems to be coming fron the front. it also makes the same clank if when driving and foot off the accelerator at about ten miles an hour i put my foot down on the accelerator. my mate had a quick look underneath and said there is a lot of play almost a quarter of a turn on the joint where the prop shaft goes in to the ffront diff. 1. should there be that much play in the joint. 2 could this be causing the clank . forgot to mention it sometimes makes a similar noise whaen changing from n to drive . many thanks

Could be

also check

Drop links
and
Anti Roll bar bushes

Yes would be if the play is in the joint and he's not mistaking the play in the diff also, it must be clapped out.

Those uj`s and centre bearing in the double cardan part of the prop are notorious. Best replaced with a set that have grease nipples, that is assuming they are the culprit. Good luck.

found the cause of the clanking it was the handbrake drum on the prop shaft the nut and bollts holding it on had come loose.