I have a 2012 JKU with a 3.25" lift and 35" tires. I noticed that the boot on the front drive shaft at the transfer case is torn. I knew I was going to need to replace the drive shaft at at some point due to the angle with my 3.25" lift. Can I drive the Jeep like this at all or should I stop driving it all together until it is replaced? When I say drive I mean on road (as it is my daily driver), I certainly wouldn't take it off road in this condition. Might be stupid question, but I figure it is better to ask.

 

That grease looks old, like it's been coming out for a while? How much is slung on the undercarriage above the joint (or how much do you figure is still in the joint).

Can you keep driving it? If it isn't making noise yet, you 'should' be ok for a short time, but wouldn't be a bad idea to limit the driving.

Since it's the front shaft, you could just pull it and drive without. No issues at all with this. Or several companies sell rebuild kits for those joints now, might be an option instead of a new shaft. Teraflex made a good install vid for theirs. (they also have a good video on maintaining aftermarket driveshafts. Good to watch if you go that route.)

https://teraflex.com/videos/tech?utf8=%E2%9C%93&page=1

 

I recently rebuilt mine. The jeep has had a 3 inch lift since it left the lot new. 80 thousand miles later the cv style or rzeppa joint went bad so I bought the 130 dollar rebuild kit and rebuilt it. Cheaper than a driveshaft. May be putting off the inevitable but for now. It's fixed. Next time it goes bad. I'll be calling teraflex for a whole new driveshaft

 

I've got the same issue bought the rebuild kit for the CV joint/RZeppa joint, I'm replacing it this weekend, do ya'll have any do's or dont's for doing the job?

 

Hey guys------

Just wath Craigs list, you can find take off's.
I got one as a spare with 150 miles on it for $60.00 bucks.

Mineright no has 38,000 miles on it with a 3 1/2 lift .

 

I tried to go that route too, buying one off Craig's List, and found out when they changed motors they changed length of drive shafts, according to 4WD parts and local dealership. Looks like 07-11 interchange and 11-15 interchange.

 

Just bought the Teraflex JK Rzeppa High Angle Factory Replacement CV Kit and it will arrive tomorrow. I saw the same type of kit from Crown and Dorman, but they looked to be a direct replacement, where the Teraflex has a higher angle flange that will allow for a more movement when flexing. Teraflex has a really nice youtube repair video making it look easy, we will see. I am going to replace it this weekend. Thanks for all the input.

 

Absolutely. I just swapped a Rzeppa out on a stock rear with the TF joint.
EASY swap BIG difference in angle.