ok this is not another do I have to replace my drive line thread.

I've noticed a problem that I don't think has been adressed allot here it's the "slip boot" on the front drive line getting ripped. it seems that on the front drive line will make slight contact with the trany pan on the AUTO trannys, this results in a torn boot where the slip part of the drive line is, and you'll also end up breaking off the little clamp that holds one end of the boot to the driveline.

I don't know if it's a problem with any other lift height below 3" or even stock but I do know that a 3" lift with auto trany and actualy flexing out the suspension your going to have this little problem. I've done it when I was down south wheeling with Eddie and all the others that showed up the other JK's with 3" lift and auto tranny all had the "ripped boot" and now today RedRockJK PM'd me asking about it since he to had this happen so if you use your rig then it's going to happen to you too.

the only fix will be going to a aftermarket driveline. the aftermarket drivelines are a smaller diameter than the stock ones and that SHOULD fix the little problem.

oh yea it's just the slip part of the driveline so once you tear it open or off you'll still be ok for a while, but you will also be able to get some junk wore down into the slip splines and now there is no way to keep any grease on the slip joint so replaceing the driveline would/should be on your todo list if it is'nt already....

I'm done babbling, now go get to wheeling and breaking your stuff...

 

I think i remember seeing sort of a skid plate, protective cover for this but i can't remember where. If i think of it i will post.

 

I think you missunderstood what I was saying. the driveline hits the auto trany pan. the only way to stop this would be to limit your suspension travel or put a smaller dia. drive line in.

 

I saw this as well. I just lifted the front where it would see full articlation marked the skid (only there on automatics) and trimmed it back (plasma or cutoff wheel) to the cross brace and over approx 6-7 inches. it has no interferance issues any more.

 

pics perhaps?

 

will do when it is light again.

 

oh yea that too. yea at full droop with both tires on the dricer side I also hit the crossmember and I too notched it out but that just hits the driveline itself and dose nothing to the boot. what I'm talking about is when you have your pass. side tire droped out adn your driver side tire stuffed the driveline actualy hits the transmission pan . here is a pic from the first time it happend. if you look closely you can see where the clamp for the boot hit and tore the edge of the transmission pan. and of corse the missing clamp that got ripped off.

 

Bummer for you auto guys. The first time I noticed this as a potential problem was when I helped Rubimon install his 3" Full Traction lift. The driveline prevented his axle from drooping more than we needed to get the new coils in. Unfortunately, I think you're right, the only way you can really address this is by installing a new aftermarket driveline like JE Reel makes or, maybe you could do some creative trimming on your skid. But then, even at that I'm not sure if it would be enough.

 

It's not so much an issue with the skidplate touching the driveshaft. The driveshaft is getting too close to the edge of the automatic transmission pan. There is an area on the auto tranny that has a hump that goes out towards the driveshaft. When you flex, the clamp on the driveshaft boot comes into contact with that hump, and either gets torn off or ripped loose, which in turn tears the boot. It's NOT the skidplate causing the problem with the boot.

 

yea thanks for some help RedRock....

in the same pic above I have circled the point where the driveline hits the TRANSMISSION PAN. and you can also see where notched out the crossmember