Recent experiences with Rzeppa (CV) joint replacement under warranties experiences

[Catpaw4x4]

Hello all fellow Forum friends,
Have scanned / read some of the past postings ...
Checking in and requesting feedback on experiences with front driveshaft Rzeppa (just love that word ) joint replacement under warranty (and just!!). Somewhere between 25k and 35.1k and no off road driving / no lift / no nothing but plain old simple daily driving, "Das Stiefel" developed a tear. Planning on repair in Greensboro in the next 2-3 wks.
Thank you all in advance!
Cheers Donna

 

[DenisM]

Serious question... how fast do you normally drive on freeways ? I'm wondering if the elastomer material used in the "boot" is either the wrong shape in terms of its design or wrong material and/ or both, and whether the shear forces generated by constant deformation due to the angle of the joint (even for standard suspension settings) and exacerbated by higher average rotational speeds and heat generation compared to vehicles averaging slower speeds, are causing the material to fail prematurely.

 

[Catpaw4x4]

Serious question... how fast do you normally drive on freeways ? I'm wondering if the elastomer material used in the "boot" is either the wrong shape in terms of its design or wrong material and/ or both, and whether the shear forces generated by constant deformation due to the angle of the joint (even for standard suspension settings) and exacerbated by higher average rotational speeds and heat generation compared to vehicles averaging slower speeds, are causing the material to fail prematurely.

I would judge I have very typical driving - mix of interstate / in town / hills / occassional 900+ ft mountains (Appalachian Mtns may not be the tallest, but they are the oldest - you would look a little "worn" if you were 300 million mile old too ) / etc. Long distance is about 8.5 hrs at most (400 miles) with 1 stop (95% interstate driving here thru Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains - about 4 trips/yr. Owned since Jan 2024. 2 true off roading events (training / fun ride). She's my daily drive .
Agree this is a concerning issue as at least under warranty "now" but is the "fix" a true fix or a "kick down the road" till it happens again??
I'm a veterinarian by training and not a materials engineer.
Any other questions??
Cheers Donna

 

[Dokatd]

Serious question... how fast do you normally drive on freeways ? I'm wondering if the elastomer material used in the "boot" is either the wrong shape in terms of its design or wrong material and/ or both, and whether the shear forces generated by constant deformation due to the angle of the joint (even for standard suspension settings) and exacerbated by higher average rotational speeds and heat generation compared to vehicles averaging slower speeds, are causing the material to fail prematurely.

Consider that the diff side joint is nearly the same angle. But; the diff side joint never quite reaches the point that the boot gets pinched. We are talking 1.5° or so. The diff side joint is along for almost the same ride as the T-case side.

 

[GN4HIR]

Donna, my experience is the dealer will just replace the entire drive shaft.

 

[DenisM]

I would judge I have very typical driving - mix of interstate / in town / hills / occassional 900+ ft mountains (Appalachian Mtns may not be the tallest, but they are the oldest - you would look a little "worn" if you were 300 million mile old too ) / etc. Long distance is about 8.5 hrs at most (400 miles) with 1 stop (95% interstate driving here thru Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains - about 4 trips/yr. Owned since Jan 2024. 2 true off roading events (training / fun ride). She's my daily drive .
Agree this is a concerning issue as at least under warranty "now" but is the "fix" a true fix or a "kick down the road" till it happens again??
I'm a veterinarian by training and not a materials engineer.
Any other questions??
Cheers Donna

Just one.... how fast do you drive on the interstate...75-80-85mph? Is it regular high speed driving?
It appears that it's not the mechanicals of the Rzeppa joint which fail initially but rather the boot which leads to lubricant loss then mechanical failure. I'm not a materials scientist either, just "observant" .