I think my I killed my front drive shaft. I decided to pop by the river while waiting on my girlfriend to finish shopping. I put it in 4 low and it started making a loud ticking noise. I haven't been able to check it out while it moving yet though. It sounds like it's coming from the drive shaft/ transfer case area. It's only when Its under power( not when coasting or idling) when it's in 4 low or high. It gets worse when the terrain gets rougher but It comes and goes. (I'm assuming it does this as the shaft travels up and down) there's also a lot of grease from the boot of the shaft but it has been there a while. An also a lot of drive train wobble at higher speeds ( I've been thinking tires were out of balance until now.)

Does this sound like a drive shaft problem to you guys? Or could it be my transfer case or something else. Is there a test I can do or something?


Running a 4 door Rubicon 6 speed with 5.5" lift and stock drive shafts.

 

Sounds like you tore your front driveshaft boot. If that's the case you can get away with it for a while but eventually need to replace it with an aftermarket one

 

which boot is the grease coming from? the accordian one in the middle or from the joint next to the transfer case? if it's the later like i would think it is, the bearings inside your cv joint are failing and you're in need of replacing it as soon as possible. for now, i would just pull your front shaft and drive your jeep without it.

 

Yes the one closest to the transfer case. I'll just pull it tomorrow and start looking for a replacement for the front and might as well do the rear at the same time.

New question:
I'm running the stock 44 in the front but I plan to go to the Prorock 44 in the front and a Currie rock jock in the rear. How much will the measurements change with different axle housings?

 

up front, nothing will change. in the rear, your driveshaft will need to be shorter. for now, i would just get a new front shaft and then a rear after you get your new axle. also, do yourself a favor and get a new front shaft with replacement yokes and spicer joints. don't be fooled by the popular fancy looking shafts out there as they use cheap chinese u-joints.

 

Which do you mean I shouldn't get. I'm looking at either Tom Woods or Tatton in the 1350 variety.

Are these a go or no go, and any others I should consider?

 

both come with cheap chinese u-joints and if you're dead set on getting one from them, i would highly recommend that you request an upgrade to spicer u-joints. and, of the two companies, i can tell you that i have seen my fair share of tattons that were poorly balanced right out of the box. if it were up to me, i would recommend getting something like a coast shaft as they come with replacement yokes and spicer u-joints and for the exact same price at the more trendy shafts with cheap chinese u-joints. or, i might even recommend that you find a local shop to make you a shaft.

 

Get a local shop to make you one, they'll do it right.