Rear diff backlash

[gmcman]

I'm not sure if I have some excess wear but i'm curious if there is a simple method to see if there is excessive backlash in the ring and pinion without doing the white grease trick. getting some light clunking in directional changes with the trans and the u-joints are new. I could prob post a short vid of turning the driveshaft showing the amount of travel if that is a possible method of cheking.

 

[RayVoy]

turning the driveshaft showing the amount of travel if that is a possible method of cheking.

No, because when you turn the driveshaft (from one stop to the other stop) you are moving everything that is free inside the diff.
Any slack in the pinion/ring/axle gears will show up (including any slack in the new u-joints).