I was out today and tore my front Driveshaft boot. I had to pull a piece off to keep it from flapping. It's a large piece. Like half of the boot. My question is, I am supposed to go again tomorrow, but am worried about the grease coming out. Here is the piece that came off.




Would you go if it were yours, or bag it and wait until the shaft replaced?

 

That looks like the boot that fits over the sleeve, not the boot at the t-case? If it is the boot over the sleeve, wheel it like it is. I haven't had a boot at the "sleeve" since 08' and not had any problems.

 

It's the boot over the splined portion. Here's a couple pics.

 

Just keep it greased and it will be fine... If it starts squeaking a few years down the road then worry about replacing it. I'm not aware of any aftermarket ds's that have a boot to cover the splined portion of the ds anyway.

 

your drive shaft spins 4x as fast as your wheels and more if you've re-geared and there is no keeping it greased or, effectively anyway.

the good news is that you won't need to replace it immediately but, the bad news is that you really should sooner than later with an aftermarket shaft. failure to do so will result in the shaft starting to seize up and bind and that will eventually cause the cv joint to fail - i have seen it happen.

 

This happened to mine. It was tore when I bought my jeep so I don't know how much time you have.

 

Mine has been like that for a year I just spray Inox Lanox down the thing and its smooth as silk! I also know several people that have had zero problems and its been like that for years!

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm off to go wheeling!

 

i see you live down under and can only imagine that it's a lot like southern california. the op lives in the northwest where it rains a lot, sees salted roads and muddy trails. there is a difference in how long things last in both conditions.

 

The boot you have to worry about tearing is the little rubber one at the t-case. The spline boot isn't a big deal and most of the lifted JK's I've seen who still have a stock front DS have a torn or missing spline boot. Mines been torn for over a year and I've wheeled it in deep mud and saltwater many times. Just make sure you have $500 and a weekend day to spare when it does fail.