I found out today that the rear drive shaft boot is torn and they tell me the drive shaft will have to be replaced. Do they offer the boot by itself?

 

Many people are driving around with torn boots. Yes, it will need to be replaced over time (DS), but I'd worry about that when the time comes. As far as I know, you can't replace the boot on the factory DS.... You will be surprised on how long it will last with a torn boot. Just give it some frequent checks to make sure it's not leaking. The factory DS can't be rebuilt or greased from what I've been told.

 

Yep, correct there! I found that the U-joint on my front driveshaft was seeping grease so I took it back to the dealer to have the U-joint replaced under warranty (cheap & simple job; I've done it myself on other vehicles). Find out that the U-joint on the JK's front driveshaft is not replaceable (I suspect the rear is the same) & you need a whole new driveshaft if the U-joint goes bad!

Considering the U-joint is often replaced as a preventative maintainance measure when you pull the tranny to change the clutch, looks like a clutch change just got a whole lot more expensive.

 

The big boot covering where the two halved of the driveshaft slide in/out? Or the little boots in the joints at either end? If it's the big boot, just keep the splines greased as best you can, and continue driving on it. If it is the joints at the tcase/pinion, you will need to replace the shaft. If they will not cover it under warranty, consider moving to an aftermarket double cardan instead of a factory shaft. (depending on lift height, you may need a set of adj ca's though).



Just saw that you have 4 inches of lift on a 2door. You need to swap it for an aftermarket, and will want rear upper arms to set the pinion angle.

 

Unfortunately, theh boot is not available. Talk about short sighted design
Sounds like an oportunity for Daystar or some other supplyer to make something no one else is offering!

 

"Short sighted" my butt!! Why should they sell you a $20 boot, when they can hit you for a $750+ shaft? Driveline isn't the only shaft going on here! Shame on Jeep!

As nthinuf said in another thread, with a 3 14" lift, the front shaft boot polishes the xfer case until it tears, when under flex. I will try his advice to keep it greased & make it last until the $ fairy poops in my yard! Makes mud holes nerve wracking, though!

 

For a cheap temp. fix you could just check craigslist/ebay for guys selling oem DS's

 

What if you lost the strap holding the large accordion boot?
The front one, I was thinking of putting a large clamp style strap, but I'm afraid its going to unbalance it. Thinking::::

 

Zip Tie.

If MKJeep doesn't see your post and reply, shoot him a PM. He has some pics floating around here somewhere of his driveshaft after removing the metal band and replacing with a zip tie. Don't know how long he ran it like that, but doesn't hurt to ask.

 

Thank you.