I would highly recommend checking your right side Dana 35 drive axle ( slip yoke ) ( assuming you have one ) to see if the metal bands on each end of the rubber boot that covers the slip yoke haven't been compromised or missing or loose.

Below is a couple pictures of mine that I recently removed from the truck because my slip yoke was SPINNING on it self because the metal bands that HAD been on each side of the rubber boot to keep out the elements were missing for apparently some time and water and dirt had gotten in and completely ruined the splines to the point it failed miserably and I lost 4 wheel drive.

This seems like a highly bad design and it failed at it's weakest point in the axle, I will now check my new slip yoke rubber sleeve every so often to make sure it is securely fastened on each end and properly greased!!

 

Damn...

That looks real bad.

 

Ouch.

 

That sucks, but I don't see that as a design flaw at all. Slip yokes are intended to be serviceable and I would consider checking them and their boots routine maintenance.

 

I agree that it is TECHNICALLY a serviceable part of the axle and I don't think it is a design FLAW, just a bad design, in my opinion. I wish I new how long the boot had been compromised!! I am the second owner and have had it for 3 years now, anywhooo lesson learned for sure and it sure is nice having my 4x4 back in working condition.

 

Ha, it looks like it has been bad for quite some time. It's pretty tore up. Glad you have it fixed though!