Sorry just noticed your message. Certainly sounds like it's on it's way out. It's generally usable but if it's noisy at all it doesn't have long. You can pick one up from a (reliable) breakers or the easiest temp fix is to remove the rear prop shaft. That leaves you with a front wheel drive car and eases the strain until you get a new one. The VCU is the big round drum - like a roses tin - under the floor.
George
George