So everyone with an auto should know and has probably read tons of time on here, that with over 2" of lift, aft full flex your front driveshaft will come in contact with the transmission skid. well, it finally happend to me today

My question is, next weekend is our spring break and im going on a wheeling trip to superlift ORV in hot springs AK, with my front DS in this condition, am i still okay to wheel. from what i understand, ill be good for a while, maybe just a little squeeking. if i frequently apply lube to the shaft, will it hold at least until after my wheeling trip, because there is no way i can possibly get a new drivehsaft between now and then.

I know its not a HUGE deal, but i dont want to damage anything further and i want it to get me through the next couple of weeks which will include about 2,500 mile road trip collectively, and some pretty sick trails at Superlift.

and if i can just apply lube to it frequently to keep it alive just a little bit longer, what would be a good lube to use?
here are some shots of how it happend and the aftermath

 

oh and just to throw it out there, im now thinking about cutting out a notch in the skid to prevent any further contact between now and the time i can afford a new driveshaft.

 

You should be fine. I ended up going 10,000 miles on mine and didn't grease it. I replaced it before the winter months because I didn't want to get stuck without 4x4, it never totally failed. Here is a link on how to fix it if you don't want to by a new shaft I there are people on here that have twisted there OEM drivesahfts. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...=1#post1507185

 

Since the skid is there to protect the tranny, aren't you scared about the possibility of the driveshaft slamming into that if you cut out a notch? I'd rather destroy my driveshaft than damage my transmission.

By the way, thanks for the pics. Now I will know what to look for WHEN this happens to me! Hopefully not tomorrow on my next trail run.

 

I think what does the bustin' is the tranny pan lip, not the skid.

 

bout to say.. i noticed a silver ring on my DS and cut a section out of the skid to stop that problem dead in it tracks

 

Mine come off a few weeks ago also wheeling, thanks for the link to the repair.

 

Can you trim the lip without exposing the tranny to avoid either problem? That would be a nice compromise and something I would consider doing before I runi my driveshaft.

 

you can but it will still hit the pan lip. rock crawler makes a replacement pan for the trans and it is a skid as well. i belive it is 3/16th thick steel so should be stout.

 

You should be good for a while. When our boot ripped we drove for another 6 months without an issue.

I have seen however where a boot tore and the driveshaft siezed up causing it to pull out of the transfer case when flexed on an obstacle.

On a seperate note, RROR make a skid setup that prevents the drivesahft from making any contact..