I tore my front drive shaft boot today on the Holcomb Creek trail. I have read all the threads I could find on the topic, but I do not clearly understand the downside of not getting it replaced. The group I was with today stated they tore their (TJ) years ago with now complications. This got me think on how much time I have to replace the drive shaft???

Any input is appreciated!

 

The big boot in the middle that covers where the two halves of the driveshaft slip in and out?
No issue, just rip the boot off and keep it clean and greased. None of the aftermarket shafts have a boot there, but what they do have is zerks to spit grease inside. (Wouldn't be a bad idea to drop the shaft and pull it apart on a semi regular basis to clean and grease it and make sure it is still sliding in/out).

The small boot inside the joints at the pinion/tcase?
Non-repairable, non-replaceable, when it dries out, it will start making noise and then seize. You don't want to be on the freeway when this happens.

 

How hard is it to take off and put back on? I'm thinking about doing this as periodic maintenance... Thanx

 

Thank you, it is the bigger boot were the two halves come together. It hit the transmission skid, like it normally does with a lift and a good flex.

 

Easy, just a bunch of bolts. Hardest part is just turning the driveshaft to get to them all.



From what I have seen, the skid contacts the driveshaft below the boot. It puts some scrapes and gouges on the shaft, but nothing major. It is the corner of your tranny pan that actually ripped the boot. If you do not replace with a narrower aftermarket shaft, I would suggest that you go flex and double check that the shaft itself is not contacting the tranny. It has been known to bash in the corner and cause leaks.

 

Again, thanks. I will give it a good look tomorrow.

 

Sorta looks like this??

I think i tore part of my DS at Rausch--

 

Yep. Your boot looks like it is still in good shape. If you aren't replacing with an aftermarket, clean and lube, then stretch the boot back down and slap a zip tie on there to hold it. And as mentioned above, flex it up, then crawl underneath and take a close look to make sure you aren't contacting the tranny pan hard enough to dent it in or split the lip apart.

 

Will do..I did find a metal collar(sorta looked like a hose clamp) at the base of the shaft. Should I just snip that off?

Questions:
-Clean off with soap and water and some simple green?

-Grease it with a grease gun in the ridges?

I was going to cut a notch in the skid plate to let the DS drop during flex without rub.

If I clean and grease the DS(once a month more or less) how long will it last me? I don't really have 500 bucks for a new DS.

 

Properly serviced, expect it to last until the joint at the tcase dies.

There are people running with a torn boot (or without a boot)for a year or two. Just keep the dirt and crap out of the boot, keep the shaft greased up, and every once in a while you might drop the shaft and pull it apart to verify that the two halves are still sliding in and out. And remember that if the boot tore once, it's likely to keep tearing when offroad.