X2 what he said. you'll have plenty of warning. I've been running mine a year now with the boot torn and no vibration or noise.

 

The picture showed the middle acordion-like boot which (from what I have read anyways) should not cause any problems if it's off. I think the one that you really need to pay attention to is the CV boot right where it makes a sharp bend to the transfer case. That little rubber CV is under compression from conforming to a more extreme angle, so it starts slinging grease, squeezing it out. Eventually over time, the boot will start to fatigue and rip itself open thereby exposing the bearings to grit and grime. That is what causes the driveshaft to make noise and fail. Someone more knowledgeable, please correct me if I am wrong. This is all just information I gathered from reading numerous threads on the subject while pondering my own needs for a new driveshaft.

 

That is where the drivshaft is allowed to change length as the axle moves up & down. Old Chevy trucks I have had never had a boot for the same thing, just a grease fitting. I wonder if the JK shafts could have a grease fitting installed.

 

I'm sorry but I have seen pictures of this happening on the forum.

Not to argue about it, but I had my Boot ripped off for about 6K miles now and I have not greased it since the boot tore off...



Someday it will make noise and I'll have to fork out some cash and replace it.

Some people go forever with no boots. Some don't.

 

Is your Jeep lifted? If the boot tore due to being pinched against the exhaust (very common after lifting) then I would start planning on replacing.
Mine lasted about a year after the boot tore. The problem wasn't actually caused by the boot tearing but rather the CV joint itself went bad due to the increased angle. Wasn't a catastropic failure by any means, I just started noticing a clicking sound at low speed and found a lot of play in the CV joint when checking it out.

 

Yea it is. It was this that did it

 

If the line seizes and cant telescope properly, it will push the yoke right through the back of the t-case if the suspension compresses. Has happened to many vehicles.

 

Is there a fix for the extreme angle? Can the transfer case be "clocked?" I just completed my lift and after my first trip, the CV boot (at the transfer case) is torn and the shaft is slinging grease.

I plan on replacing the shaft with a Coast drive line shaft, but do I need to still address angle?

I know I'm hijacking the thread, but I didn't want to start a new post for the same topic

 

If the splines have no real damage you can replace the boot:

http://www.partswebsite.com/wyckoffm...=20&type=parts

 

Is this the boot near the t case?