Drive shafts
#1
JK Freak
Thread Starter
Drive shafts
I'm fixing to install the RK 3.5 flex on a 2 door rubicon. Will my drive shafts be fine? I just want to make sure everything is going to work before I get half way through the install and need something else
#2
JK Jedi
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Nevada City California
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Depending on the amount of off road you go for, you'll be fine on the stock shafts for some time. I'm still on oe shafts with my 2 door, just under 4" of lift. Though front shaft is getting close to needing replacement, slingin grease. So long as you fine tune all 8 adj control arms for pinion/caster, you can buy some time with your oe shafts.
#3
JK Junkie
Depending on the amount of off road you go for, you'll be fine on the stock shafts for some time. I'm still on oe shafts with my 2 door, just under 4" of lift. Though front shaft is getting close to needing replacement, slingin grease. So long as you fine tune all 8 adj control arms for pinion/caster, you can buy some time with your oe shafts.
so if its starting to go i should just keep an eye on where the shaft enters the transfer case?
matthew
#6
JK Jedi Master
Do be aware that Rzeppa and U-joint driveshafts are set up differently--the angle of the shaft to the transfer case and pinion requires different settings. Otherwise, you may have vibration from the driveshaft. But, U-joints take extreme angles better than Rzeppa joints, which is why U-joints are preferred on rigs that off-road. I had to replace my front DS on my four door even though I have only a 2.5" lift. General mantra is below 3" is no problem. My experience suggests otherwise. But, I do off-road on some pretty rough stuff and it failed well past 100K miles.
#7
JK Freak
Thread Starter
Your problem won't be getting halfway through the install and needing something else. It will be getting halfway up Blanca Peak or some other really technical trail and needing a new driveshaft. How are you going to get back down? If you don't off-road, or your off-roading is mild, then you'll be fine for a long time. As others wrote, just keep an eye on the driveshaft ends for damage to the boots--the slinging grease is easy to find. If you have that, I'd recommend either replace the DS with a proper one (without Rzeppa joints, which OEM has, and with U-joints, which most aftermarkets have). If you're driving down the highway and a DS fails, you can just pull over to the side of the road and pull the DS and drive home on the other one (yes, you can drive the Jeep in "FWD" if the rear DS fails).
Do be aware that Rzeppa and U-joint driveshafts are set up differently--the angle of the shaft to the transfer case and pinion requires different settings. Otherwise, you may have vibration from the driveshaft. But, U-joints take extreme angles better than Rzeppa joints, which is why U-joints are preferred on rigs that off-road. I had to replace my front DS on my four door even though I have only a 2.5" lift. General mantra is below 3" is no problem. My experience suggests otherwise. But, I do off-road on some pretty rough stuff and it failed well past 100K miles.
Do be aware that Rzeppa and U-joint driveshafts are set up differently--the angle of the shaft to the transfer case and pinion requires different settings. Otherwise, you may have vibration from the driveshaft. But, U-joints take extreme angles better than Rzeppa joints, which is why U-joints are preferred on rigs that off-road. I had to replace my front DS on my four door even though I have only a 2.5" lift. General mantra is below 3" is no problem. My experience suggests otherwise. But, I do off-road on some pretty rough stuff and it failed well past 100K miles.
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#9
JK Enthusiast
A stick got caught under my jeep and it ripped the slip joint boot as I pulled it out. I'm going to tear the rest if it off; I'm thinking i'll be ok for a while as long throw some grease on the shaft and try to stay out of the deep mud. What do y'all think? The boot is on national back order and I'm going wheeling this weekend.
#10
JK Jedi Master
A stick got caught under my jeep and it ripped the slip joint boot as I pulled it out. I'm going to tear the rest if it off; I'm thinking i'll be ok for a while as long throw some grease on the shaft and try to stay out of the deep mud. What do y'all think? The boot is on national back order and I'm going wheeling this weekend.
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