so how did this happen

[abbo]

As the top say's how would this happen...........

[Flash2004]

Driveshaft slightly too long, maybe the axle or gearbox is loose and is able to move back and forth, but it looks like the male spline on the slip joint has come all the way through. An easy fix, once you find the problem. If the axle is not able to move, just cut 5mm off the end of the driveshaft spline and you're all good.

[tintin]

doe's anything else look like these

[rokhound]

Too much grease in the slip joint will do it as well

[Chopper01]

Too much grease in the slip joint will do it as well

thats what my pick would be

[abbo]

Thanks very much guys so to much grease... Looks like it has been like this for some time . When i took the end off there was a lot of mud in the end of it.... Dont think it had seen grease for some time.So will hope to get a weld on it tomorrow and it will sort it. There was a loud noise coming from the front since the got the thing,only in 4wd, so i hope this is it. abbo

[TJ]

Thanks very much guys so to much grease... Looks like it has been like this for some time . When i took the end off there was a lot of mud in the end of it.... Dont think it had seen grease for some time.So will hope to get a weld on it tomorrow and it will sort it. There was a loud noise coming from the front since the got the thing,only in 4wd, so i hope this is it. abbo

There is usually a very tiny bleed hole there as well, basically to counter the "too much grease" phenomenon. Mud on the other hand can plug that weep hole. Mud doesn't compress well, so pushes the plug out. Although too much grease will also likely do the same thing if the bleed hole is plugged for some reason.