New grease coming out is not good. Even if it’s just the seal improperly installed the joint needs grease to work properly.

If you get an aftermarket driveshaft you’re going to have to adjust the pinion angle anyway - check their installation instructions and threads. I’m thinking that if you “fix” the pinion angle that the stock shafts have less stress - though not sure as I don’t have adjustable arms to see how the angle on the upper joint is affected.

 

I'm no expert, but this is what I've got from the research I've done. (I actually just changed my F DS today) With any lift over 3" the stock CV style DS will eventually start to spit grease due to the increased angle. It may be 1 mile or 70K plus, but it will eventually happen. (Usually sooner than later) Once this does happen some have not worried about it and have been fine for over a year with it like this, while others fix it right away (ME), but again after this happens it will eventually run out of grease and could mess up your T Case. To my understanding you can't just buy adjustable control arms and keep the stock DS, because it's diameter is a lot more than a aftermarket one, so it will make contact with the transmission. A lot of people suggest a Double Carden DS, because it has U Joints as apposed to the CV joints. Easier to fix. I purchased a Coast 1310 Front DS from Dave at Northridge 4x4. There is a write up on this under Project-JK then go to Drivetrain. With the lift you have you will eventually have to buy a DS and Control Arms, so it all lines up right. Again I'm not an expert, but this is what I've come to understand from my research.

 

Do you have an auto or manual? If auto, either the skid or tranny pan will come in contact with your boot (at full stuff/drop when wheeling). This will damage the boot causing the leak. The boot clamps can also damage the tranny pan causing that to leak. The stock DS is just too thick for clearances with 3" + lifts. After market DS are much narrower (and stronger) than the thin walled stock DS. I've heard of guys driving on their stock DS to failure with the boot off for hundreds of miles so I don't think you are in any immediate danger of failure. It's just a matter of time. For piece of mind just pick any of a number of great aftermarket DS. Here are a few popular choices, Tom Woods, Coast, JE Reel, Teraflex. For piece of mind, go for it.

 

I think the problem the OP is having is with the boot at the CV joint up at the transfer case, not with the boot that holds in the grease at the slip joint that rips because of contact with Jeep components.

I’ve noticed that some of the aftermarket shafts don’t have a boot in the middle. Do you have one like that, and if so how do you keep it greased?

 

My Coast doesn't have a boot over the slip joint, but it has what I call a grease nipple.

 

Nope, aftermarket DS has no boot. Just greasable joints. The grease is inside the stocker DS that is held in by the boot. It slides back and forth as it extends and retracts (inside the boot) and that needs to stay greased or it will seize and rip itself apart.

 

Have you had any problems with junk getting into the joint? I’m wondering because it seems like you could remove the boot from the stock shafts and the reliability/issues with the joint would be similar to aftermarket shafts that don’t have a boot too. I’m guessing the stock shafts don’t have a grease nipple, so at least with yours you can get some grease up high without having to flex it.

 

No problems with junk getting in there. It's a super tight fit, unlike the hollow stock DS, and when you grease the aftermarket DS, it pushes out old grease/contaminants. Plus the major difference is the thickness of aftermarket shafts vs. the thin walled stocker which is also non-serviceable.

 

I noticed I have the same problem with the front shaft a few weeks ago. I ordered a 1310 Tom Woods, Do I need to get adjustable control arms? I have Adjustable uppers in the front. Will I need lowers to make this application work properly.

 

Yeah, I understand all of the benefits of a new shafts, but I just haven’t seen any real world experience with junk getting into the joint and causing problems. I’m sure after my first off-road trip there will be dust and dirt mixed in with the grease, and I don’t mind getting my hands dirty and adding/cleaning as necessary, but I don’t want stuff getting up in there causing undue wear. Thanks for the feedback.