91 XJ Front Drive Shaft Questions

My front drive shaft is very sloppy at the middle joint that slides in and out. I can easily move it 3/4" side to side. Is this normal? It has the double cardon joint at the transfer case. What years will work if I need to start looking in a bone yard? Are all the shafts the same for auto or manual trannys? I don't know anything about the front drive shaft. I have the 4.0 with an auto tranny. Any help would be appreciated.

No that is not normal. Sounds like the slip spline is worn out and possibly the u-joints too. I think you should be able to use any front shaft from an auto 4.0 from 89-00, the salvage yard can tell you for sure.

What price would something like this go for at a bone yard? I don't want to be taken.

I would guess around $50 to $100.