Sounds like the miles with those outlaws took there toll on that axle. And yes the lift probably helped with your prob. Put on the mudlights, slap in the new axle, and ride it.
I've got a 450 and it does the same thing. It seems to just be waiting for oil to get to the hydralic timing chain tensioner. It hasn't caused any bad effects yet.has anyone with a rubicon ever had some sorta rattle from the engine when the engine is cold, but goes away when it gets warm? its not a lower end or valve train noise because it goes away when you rev the engine. i am going to check all of the exhaust sheilding because thats what the noise sounds like.
Yet another good idea.I actually turn my engine over acouple times with thr bar switch off to buildup oil to top end and then turn on switch and start.