Front Drive Shaft Update

[Mountain4x4]

Anecdotal but talking to someone who drove from Middle East to Iceland and is correctly planning a cross-Africa trip. She thinks her under body protection stops small rock chips hitting the boot and prevents tears. Her’s is lifted but think a 2” if I remember correctly.

Not a bad theory.

Nope, wont do a thing. The front diffs need cut and turned. The angle is too steep. The only precautions you can take are a grindy Agile shaft, or install a strap to stop a broken shaft from tearing up other parts. Here shaft WILL fail and she must carry spares.

 

[Mountain4x4]

I’m not entirely sure why highway driving, even at higher speeds, should be a primary cause of boot issues. While there’s more heat and faster shaft spinning, the shaft operates at its lowest impact level due to minimal articulation from consistent flat road conditions.

For me a hit a big bump, like a frost heave on the highway while towing. The quick little bounce tore the boot instantly and I was molten metal in a few feet.

 

[MileHigh]

For me a hit a big bump, like a frost heave on the highway while towing. The quick little bounce tore the boot instantly and I was molten metal in a few feet.

Few feet?

 

[Mountain4x4]

I pulled over in probably 2,000' I would estimate. So how ever many seconds at 70 MPH that is. Yes, I could have stopped much faster, but there is the whole fog of war...what is that noise? Oh, yep, sounds serious, then find a spot and be careful with a trailer....

 

[hon1nbo]

I pulled over in probably 2,000' I would estimate. So how ever many seconds at 70 MPH that is. Yes, I could have stopped much faster, but there is the whole fog of war...what is that noise? Oh, yep, sounds serious, then find a spot and be careful with a trailer....

Mine felt like riding on grooved concrete at first when it happened; some seconds later I saw the sparks start flying and getting off the road was forcing my way through traffic. By the time I was finally pulling off the shoulder the flames were already rising.

That's what gets me about this failure type; it's one thing to happen in an off road adventure but quite another to happen so dramatically at speed. That shaft spins at what, 4 revs per tire rev? Mitigating collateral damage as the shaft spins at that speed would be on my list if I had a hand in designing a fix.