Thud and freeplay...
 

YLately I have had a THUD when coming from a stop and turning (left or right) onto a street switching from 1st to 2nd. The shifter almost throws itself out of 1st when you touch it to switch gears ONLY when turning from a stop.
Forward, it doesnt really do this unless the car is cold and just warming up, after warmed up doesnt do it going forward but still turning from a stop.

I thought maybe u joints after putting the car on a lift and twisting the driveshaft to find an inch or so of freeplay.
Removed the driveshaft and the u joints seem fine. Grabbed the pinion flange, twisted and the freeplay is there, about an inch +/-.

I understood there should be NO freeplay?

Are the spider gears worn out? Thoughts?

How many miles on the Mach? If high miles, you might as well pull the rear cover. If the spider gears are ok and no clutch material present, you will at least get new lube and limited slip additive.

It only has 47K miles.

After more searches i read about the cluch packs may be worn and thats causing the lose spider gears?