Front Drive Shaft Update

[Dokatd]

So, do we all go down and have a feel around the shaft in case the rubber has split and the grease is spurting out. Carefully rubbing around the full circumference of the rubber to see if anything is loose.
A quick daily feel, if it's not too wet might help avoid any unwanted accidents

I would suggest you check your boot every 300-500mi or more. You can usually do a visual check. If it looks even slightly wet then you need to feel it for a crack. If your fingers come back greasy then you likely have your answer.

Sadly there is no way to inspect for a damaged C-Clip without removing the drive shaft. Well, if the clip failed completely you would be able to pull the shaft out of the CV, but again mine was toast but still had just enough clip that I couldn't have pulled it out.

 

[C-Mack]

Has anyone with a stock vehicle configuration and cv-joint failure reported it to NHTSA? Sure, it may feel like yelling into a deep cave without getting a response but we’ve got to start somewhere and put pressure on. Not to mention protect ourselves and others users on the road where this has the potential to be safety/accident concern especially with the c-clip failures.

Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA

File a complaint with NHTSA if you experienced a vehicle, tire, car seat or equipment safety problem that could be a safety defect.

www.nhtsa.gov

 

[OkGo]

Can anyone post a cutaway from the 'online manual' to highlight exactly what we are looking for ? @Logsplitter maybe.. please..

 

[Logsplitter]

Is this

Can anyone post a cutaway from the 'online manual' to highlight exactly what we are looking for ? @Logsplitter maybe.. please..

what you want

 

[Dokatd]

Can anyone post a cutaway from the 'online manual' to highlight exactly what we are looking for ? @Logsplitter maybe.. please..

What are you wanting specifically?

 

[Shoogs]

Mine failed at 56000kms, lift and 295 tyres, I didn’t expect warranty, but I informed the dealer. Who’s reply was they and never heard of this… BS.
And this is after they proudly state they have fitted 40+ lifts from the showroom.

Will be interesting when failures start to increase on those vehicles.
Including a well known YouTube channel, who has mentioned the problem.

I planned for the eventuality and have a Rzeppa and Agile. See how each performs.

 

[Mountain4x4]

Rzeppa high angle failed on mine, Agile on the way. Eventually this is looking like a 100% failure rate by about 50,000 miles are so. Dealers are lying if they say they don't know about this. While not the only 100% failure rate item, it is a dangerous and expensive one. ( power steering cap o ring and coolant reservoirs are 100% as well) O ring was simply the wrong size. Those issues are getting resolved and changed how ever. The driveshaft is a killer.

 

[Tom109]

So, do we all go down and have a feel around the shaft in case the rubber has split and the grease is spurting out. Carefully rubbing around the full circumference of the rubber to see if anything is loose.
A quick daily feel, if it's not too wet might help avoid any unwanted accidents

Yes, part of your vehicle check and on a regular basis. But how do you check the C-clip?

 

[cyson]

Rzeppa high angle failed on mine, Agile on the way. Eventually this is looking like a 100% failure rate by about 50,000 miles are so. Dealers are lying if they say they don't know about this. While not the only 100% failure rate item, it is a dangerous and expensive one. ( power steering cap o ring and coolant reservoirs are 100% as well) O ring was simply the wrong size. Those issues are getting resolved and changed how ever. The driveshaft is a killer.

Good to know about the power steering cap o ring and coolant reservoir high fail rates...

We should get a sticky that lists the heavy hitters.