finnd1

So I guess this is the torn front cv boot everyone is talking about. I'll order a replacement today but is it safe to drive like this for a while?

nthinuf

That covers the slip joint where the two halves of the driveshaft slide in/out. The boot isn't a huge deal. Zip tie it back on or just rip it off. But, you need to crawl underneath and make sure that you just ripped that boot, and the driveshaft is not coming into contact with the corner of the tranny pan itself. With enough contact, you can bash in the corner or split the lip.

The joint to worry about is at the tcase end of the shaft, watch for a ring grease above it.

finnd1

now that makes sense, as I was focused on the 'boot' aspect and trying to figure out where the cv joint was in there. I did notice some contact had indeed been made on the tranny pan. Must have been on my last wheeling trip.

Is it safe to assume that for normal daily driving I am fine, but if I wheel a lot more I really need to keep an eye on it and/or just replace the DS with an after market one?

thanks for the quick response.

dcharge74

Mines been like that since the Tata run in August. I pulled off the loose pieces and every now and then I use a needle adapter to shoot some grease inside the slip joint.

finnd1

so the boot itself isn't an issue from the sounds of it, I just need to watch the contact with the tranny pan and in the meantime research more about coast drive shafts.

Battlefrog

Did you do this at our Turkey crawl???

nthinuf

Yep, you are totally fine for daily driving. If the torn boot starts slapping, zip tie or tape or rip it off. (but clean the gunk out and grease the splines as part of your regular maintenance). Offroad, don't disconnect until you get around to replacing with a thinner shaft. That 'should' keep the driveshaft out of contact.

finnd1

yeh, that is what i get for taking off on my own. Lesson learned, I won't leave the group again.

finnd1

Good to know, I plan on replacing it sooner rather than later so I'll just put off nay trips that may require a disconnect.

thanks!

Battlefrog

If you decide to replace the shaft with an aftermarket let me know, I'll make the trip up your way and lend a hand...