So the front drive shaft boot costs $539!

Big Montana · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:41 pm

So I was looking under the Jeep and noticed the rear boot on the front drive shaft is wrecked. It's still packed full of grease, but it will need to be replaced. Has anyone done this yet? I'm surprised it's already down as I don't use AWD that often, and there doesn't seem to be much bend in the shaft. It must have been the weakest rubber known to man.

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:09 pm

They don't have a replacement boot for it at this time. I would recommend going to Tom woods custom drive shafts and have them make you one. Or stock replacement for about $75 less. Make sure you post here.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49888

Plus more info there.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:01 pm

I was reading the other post which was great. Thanks. I ignore the regular KJ posts I guess. But this was my question on that thread:

So there is nothing wrong with my shaft or the joint... but I am going to have to spend $400-500 to replace the whole thing because DC doesn't make a rubber boot? I don't understand this. If I go with a standard shaft, won't they need to put a new boot on?

Glend · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:41 pm

I could be wrong but I have heard that the problem with boot replacement is the banding seal (which is spot welded in the originals). It is difficult for any individual to complete this task without the necessary tools and equipment. Sticking it on and wrapping a cable tie around it is not a fix.

We had a case locally of a Grand that had a boot ripped at ARB when the lift was being installed. ARB were able to get the new boot from Jeep but did not band it with the correct pressure and it later failed in the desert and allowed sand into the CV. So it sounds as it boots are available but you would need a specialist driveline services company to do the work. IMO

Big Montana · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:30 pm

Thanks for that. I will try calling the local dealer to see what they say. I have not found a part number yet.

On the other thread, I learned that the CRD has a Rzeppa Joint. Does that mean the regular KJ gasser does not have the Rzeppa Joint? It would seem that there are a ton of KJ's on the road.

By the way, I'm dieing to get back to OZ. I hope the weather is good there. I wished I had a rig to do some off rad driving the last time I was there. I was in Perth.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:33 am

So you guys were right. The dealer said that the boot can't be serviced on it's own. The whole drive shaft setup will run me $539.74 out the door. This is amazing. The shaft is fine, the joints are fine, but I have to shell out this kind of money for 76000 miles on a rubber boot.

How long can I make it on salty/dirt roads of Michigan with a cracked boot. I may just try to keep it full of grease and wait for noise. At least it's not the back boot. I may be able to make it until next summer.

I have a Tom Woods in my CJ, but I didn't put it in. How hard will it be to swap the two yokes and replace with Tom Woods? Can he sell me the whole set-up? Will it be less than $539? I don't plan to wheel this thing ever, but I don't want to spend that kind of money on boots.

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:22 pm

Does anyone have a photo of what the t-case side is supposed to look like on stock? I just took my skid off and actually got a good look a the shaft for the first time last week and I don't think I have a boot :shock:

I bought it new, so I guess I might be a victim of the "factory DC driveline parts are made cheaply" bug...

Dan

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:36 pm

Now that's a good question. I need to look again. I have been under the assumption that there is a complete boot. The remark earlier about there being a spot welded band on the shaft was an indicator that this is true. I know I put my finger on something rubber and grease (dirt?) ended up on my finger. Perhaps it's an open system?

tonycrd · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:24 pm

On the transfercase side there is a small halfway hidden boot. Could only find this pic of an already broken one:

There is a vendor over on JKJ who has good prices I guess:

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42934

Jeep Liberty front prop shafts new / OEM Chrysler

'P52111596AA and P52111594AA - $185.00
P52111597 - $225.00'

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:50 pm

Thanks for that Tonycrd. I will check out their site. He doesn't say if the shaft is for a CRD though. We have different shafts from gassers I guess.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:56 pm

OK. I just spoke to Eric at www.automotivepartsunlimited.com and he told me I need to check my shaft part number. It's either a 591 or 593. One if for manual transmissions and the other is for regular. He didn't know which one at the moment.

Either way, it's $225 for the whole thing.

I will post for people that are interested. He said he sold over 400 of them in the last two months.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:11 pm

FYI, the front drive shaft is not that hard to swap out yourself.

On my wife's 2002 gasser I can replace the shaft without touching anything else. CRD might be able to do the same.

Anyone know for sure?

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:13 pm

Big Montana wrote:

It's either a 591 or 593. One if for manual transmissions and the other is for regular.

AUTO UNLIMITED Part # 52111593AA 4WD; Front; AT
AUTO UNLIMITED Part # 52111591AA 4WD; Front; MT

So the front drive shaft boot costs $539!

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