Actually you are right on both counts!

LSD additive IS included in Royal Purple. I changed it out right before I did the lift... If I had known better, I would have waited until AFTER the lift, because it was a PITA to fill the pumpkin at stock height! At lifted height, it's completely accessible!

Also....
Drumroll please.
The noise is GONE!!!!
It WAS the drive shaft lube!

I hadn't greased it in about 6 months. It was way dry...
I used an entire (small) tube on it. Actually popped the cap off the center section (or, maybe that was the rattling/grinding sound I heard before??).

In any case, LONG LIVE K.I.S.S. !!!!!

........"God gave rock'n roll to ya!!! Gave rock'n roll to ya..."

Thanks for the input everyone!